UCI vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UCI vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or USC? 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 USC ($15,889 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 4.7% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,991 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 358.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $56,375 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.4% higher at USC than at University of California Irvine (about $22,175 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of California Irvine (70% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 102.9% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($46,897 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 170 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming USC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UCI has a higher acceptance rate (28.6%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 43.3% at USC.

UCI vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Irvine's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($17,000 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($175 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.