UCI vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (38,799 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 Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

UCI vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or CU Boulder? 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 CU Boulder ($15,889 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Boulder are 2.8% lower than at University of California Irvine ($18,468 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $56 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at UCI than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $5,004 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at University of Colorado Boulder (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 105.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($23,110 vs. $11,225).

UCI vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 10 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

UCI vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and CU Boulder? 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 Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($175 vs. $201).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

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.