UCI vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

UCI vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or USF? 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 USF ($15,889 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 3.9% lower than at University of San Francisco ($18,991 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 284.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $44,770 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at USF than at University of California Irvine (about $10,570 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Irvine (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 50.3% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($34,723 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 40 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming UCI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 6% at USF.

UCI vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and USF? 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 San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF 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.