UCI vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (56,666 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

UCI vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota ($15,889 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 27% lower than at University of California Irvine ($13,856 vs. $18,991).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $1,492 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at UCI than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $11,560 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of California Irvine (65% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 84.1% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($23,110 vs. $12,552).

UCI vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 70 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Minnesota - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have the same average high school GPA (3.75) as students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

UCI vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $3,185 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($175 vs. $208).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota 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.