Auburn vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of California Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

Auburn vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or UCI? 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 Auburn ($15,889 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 12.5% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,626 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 22% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $2,832 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at UCI than at Auburn University (about $15,000 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at University of California Irvine (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 112.6% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($23,110 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. UCI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is the same as at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 19.2% at UCI.

Auburn vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and UCI? 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 Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Auburn 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.