UCI vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (56,997 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 Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

UCI vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus than UCI ($11,784 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 3.1% lower than at University of California Irvine ($18,405 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 21.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $2,749 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at UCI than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $6,713 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 43% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($23,110 vs. $16,156).

UCI vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is the same as at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UW-Seattle has a higher acceptance rate (39.1%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

UCI vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 76%)

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.