Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 86.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 86.0%
- Retention Rate
- 93.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $80,735
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 77.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $159/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $190,536 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $115,339 | $85,000 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $97,959 | $133,605 |
| Physics. | Doctoral | $92,632 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $90,983 | $72,394 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $81,929 | $13,500 |
| Sociology. | Doctoral | $81,111 | |
| Criminology. | Doctoral | $79,450 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $79,284 | |
| Economics. | Doctoral | $78,971 | |
| Criminology. | Master | $74,307 | $37,396 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $73,128 | $15,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $71,575 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $19,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $66,461 | $20,000 |
Outcomes Overview
UC Irvine graduates earn a median salary of $80,735 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 19% with typical debt loads of $15,000. Monthly loan payments of $159 represent only 2.4% of monthly income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The strong computer science and engineering programs feed directly into California's booming tech sector, where starting salaries often exceed $100,000. With an employment rate of 91.3% and loan repayment rate of 77.55%, most graduates successfully transition to careers in technology, healthcare, and research. Given the combination of moderate debt, strong earning potential, and access to high-paying industries, UCI offers a strong return on investment.