UC Irvine vs UCLA: A Data-Driven Comparison
Admission Difficulty: UCLA is significantly more competitive with an 8.6% acceptance rate compared to UC Irvine's 21.2%. UCLA admits roughly one in twelve applicants, while UC Irvine accepts about one in five.
Cost and Value: Both schools offer similar tuition rates, with UCLA slightly lower at $13,747 in-state versus UC Irvine's $14,237. However, UC Irvine provides better financial aid with an average net price of $12,840 compared to UCLA's $14,013. Both schools result in similar debt loads around $14,000-$15,000.
Academic Strengths: UC Irvine excels in computer science, engineering, and biological sciences, with strong research opportunities in a smaller setting. UCLA offers broader academic breadth with top programs across disciplines including film, medicine, and business. Both maintain identical 18:1 student-faculty ratios.
Campus Experience: UC Irvine's 29,494 students enjoy a newer, planned campus in suburban Orange County. UCLA's 33,040 students experience a larger, more traditional college atmosphere in Westwood with greater cultural access and school spirit, particularly around athletics.
Outcomes: UCLA graduates earn slightly more at $82,511 versus $80,735 ten years post-graduation. UCLA also shows superior retention (96.8% vs 93.8%) and graduation rates (92.7% vs 86.0%).
Students seeking a more intimate environment with strong STEM programs and easier admission should consider UC Irvine, while those wanting the complete college experience with broader opportunities and willing to face intense competition should choose UCLA.
Admission Difficulty: UCLA is significantly more competitive with an 8.6% acceptance rate compared to UC Irvine's 21.2%. UCLA admits roughly one in twelve applicants, while UC Irvine accepts about one in five.
Cost and Value: Both schools offer similar tuition rates, with UCLA slightly lower at $13,747 in-state versus UC Irvine's $14,237. However, UC Irvine provides better financial aid with an average net price of $12,840 compared to UCLA's $14,013. Both schools result in similar debt loads around $14,000-$15,000.
Academic Strengths: UC Irvine excels in computer science, engineering, and biological sciences, with strong research opportunities in a smaller setting. UCLA offers broader academic breadth with top programs across disciplines including film, medicine, and business. Both maintain identical 18:1 student-faculty ratios.
Campus Experience: UC Irvine's 29,494 students enjoy a newer, planned campus in suburban Orange County. UCLA's 33,040 students experience a larger, more traditional college atmosphere in Westwood with greater cultural access and school spirit, particularly around athletics.
Outcomes: UCLA graduates earn slightly more at $82,511 versus $80,735 ten years post-graduation. UCLA also shows superior retention (96.8% vs 93.8%) and graduation rates (92.7% vs 86.0%).
Students seeking a more intimate environment with strong STEM programs and easier admission should consider UC Irvine, while those wanting the complete college experience with broader opportunities and willing to face intense competition should choose UCLA.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| University of California-Irvine | University of California-Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 21.2% | 8.6% |
| Enrollment | 29,494 | 33,040 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,237 | $13,747 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $45,014 | $44,524 |
| Net Price | $12,840 | $14,013 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 86.0% | 92.7% |
| Retention Rate | 93.8% | 96.8% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $80,735 | $82,511 |
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $14,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| University of California-Irvine | University of California-Los Angeles | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $81,929 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $110,878 |
| Computer Science. | $73,128 | Computer Engineering. | $97,071 |
| Computer Engineering. | $69,338 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $90,678 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $66,461 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $83,915 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $65,387 | Civil Engineering. | $68,592 |