UCI vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Pitt based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 35,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

UCI vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($15,889 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 28.3% lower than at University of California Irvine ($13,620 vs. $18,991).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 39.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $6,204 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at UCI than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $8,492 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 40.1% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($23,110 vs. $16,494).

UCI vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 40 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Pitt 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 13% at Pitt.

UCI vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $9,909 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($175 vs. $278).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.