UCI vs. UOP

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than UOP based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 6,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCI vs. UOP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or UOP? 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 UOP ($15,889 vs. $31,670).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 9.5% lower than at University of California Irvine ($17,190 vs. $18,991).
• University of the Pacific is 263.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $41,358 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at UOP than at University of California Irvine (about $7,158 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at University of California Irvine (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Pacific students is 77.9% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($41,111 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. UOP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is the same as at UOP (1330).
• Incoming UCI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at UOP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of the Pacific 1183/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of the Pacific 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; UOP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; UOP Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UOP (3.58).
• UOP has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 13.8% at UOP.

UCI vs. UOP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and UOP? 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 the Pacific's (69%).
• Graduates from University of the Pacific earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,400 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $7,625 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($17,000 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($175 vs. $254).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UOP students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 70%)

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.