UCI vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Irvine is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

UCI vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or OSU? 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 OSU ($15,889 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 13.7% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,386 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than OSU (about $1,322 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $14,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at UCI than at Oregon State University (about $11,732 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of California Irvine (90% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 105.8% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($23,110 vs. $11,230).

UCI vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 60 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming UCI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 20.4% at OSU.

UCI vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($175 vs. $242).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU 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.