UCI vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of California San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

UCI vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or UCSD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than UCI ($14,047 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 0.1% lower than at University of California Irvine ($18,970 vs. $18,991).
• University of California San Diego is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $1,036 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at UCSD than at University of California Irvine (about $1,036 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of California Irvine (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 11.5% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($25,757 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI or UCSD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSD and UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 50 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UCI has a higher acceptance rate (28.6%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

UCI vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and UCSD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at UCI is the same as at University of California San Diego (85% vs. 85%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($17,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($175 vs. $191).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.