U of A vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arizona is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of California Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

U of A vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($15,889 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 11.8% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,746 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $1,796 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at UCI than at University of Arizona (about $7,644 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of California Irvine (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 67.8% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($23,110 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. UCI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 40 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming UCI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 19.2% at UCI.

U of A vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($175 vs. $196).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 66%)

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.