UCI vs. Florida

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (56,311 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 Florida is in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Florida 16:1.

UCI vs. Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Florida? 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 Florida than UCI ($11,936 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 36.2% lower than at University of California Irvine ($12,120 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 146.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $9,341 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.2% higher at UCI than at University of Florida (about $21,263 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $28,659.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at University of California Irvine (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 113.1% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($23,110 vs. $10,846).

UCI vs. Florida Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 70 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Florida 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 Florida 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Florida 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Florida Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UCI has a higher acceptance rate (28.6%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 42.2% at Florida.

UCI vs. Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Florida? 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 Florida's (84%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $800 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $1,185 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($15,815 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($163 vs. $175).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 68%)

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.