UCI vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Irvine is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

UCI vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or UCSC? 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 Irvine than UCSC ($15,889 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 4.8% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($18,991 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $283 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at UCSC than at University of California Irvine (about $283 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at University of California Irvine (57% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 1.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($23,110 vs. $22,774).

UCI vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI or UCSC? 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 UCSC and UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 70 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at UCSC (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

UCI vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and UCSC? 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).

• University of California Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $2,959 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($175 vs. $206).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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.