Academic Comparison between UCSD and UCI

University of California-San Diego and University of California-Irvine are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in California

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UCSD has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,676) than UCI ($46,640).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than UCI.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while UCI has 37,297 students.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 faculties while UCI has 2,283 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
UCSD UCI
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.University of California-Irvine
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationIrvine, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,752
Out-Of-State$46,640
59%% Receiving Financial Aid62%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$21,866
26.71 %Acceptance Rates28.57 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)19.22 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate87 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate5 %
94 %Retention Rate94 %
44,256Student Population37,297
3,101Number of Faculties2,283
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare