UCI vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UCI vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($15,889 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 12.9% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,550 vs. $18,991).
• Virginia Tech is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $226 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at UCI than at Virginia Tech (about $12,158 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at University of California Irvine (60% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 152.1% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($23,110 vs. $9,168).

UCI vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 40 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UCI vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech's (82%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $6,966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($175 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech 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.