UCI vs. Georgia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Georgia is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (43,146 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 Georgia is in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Georgia 17:1.

UCI vs. Georgia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Georgia? 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 Georgia ($15,889 vs. $16,662).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 38.5% lower than at University of California Irvine ($11,672 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $4,272 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at UCI than at University of Georgia (about $18,234 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Georgia than at University of California Irvine (89% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 98% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($23,110 vs. $11,674).

UCI vs. Georgia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Georgia (1380) is 50 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Georgia 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 Georgia 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Georgia 29/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Georgia - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Georgia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Georgia has a higher acceptance rate (37.7%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 38.3% at Georgia.

UCI vs. Georgia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Georgia? 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 Georgia's (82%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Georgia graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $2,146 lower median loan debt than Georgia graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,146).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia graduates ($175 vs. $197).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 67%)

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.