UCI vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Irvine is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UCI vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($15,889 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 10.7% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,960 vs. $18,991).
• Westmont College is 240.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $37,862 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Irvine (about $3,662 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Irvine (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 68.6% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($38,956 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 20 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UCI vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $8,123 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($175 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.