Skip to content

University of California-Irvine vs California Institute of the Arts

University of California-Irvine is a public university in Irvine, CA, and California Institute of the Arts is a private institute in Valencia, CA. University of California-Irvine is the more selective of the two, admitting about 29% of applicants against 32% at California Institute of the Arts. University of California-Irvine is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $14,251 a year against $46,080 at California Institute of the Arts. About 86% of students graduate at University of California-Irvine, compared with 65% at California Institute of the Arts. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Irvine alumni earn a median of about $80,735, against $41,198 for California Institute of the Arts.

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Irvine, CA
Valencia, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
30,197
860
Acceptance rate
29%
32%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1230–1430
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
26–33
Not reported
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,251
$46,080
Full cost / yr
$38,632
$77,560
In-state tuition
$15,722
$58,996
Out-of-state tuition
$49,922
$58,996
Application fee
$80
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,123
$26,686
$30k - $48k
$9,313
$40,899
$48k - $75k
$11,642
$51,847
$75k - $110k
$15,164
$38,627
Over $110k
$30,546
$58,873
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
65%
Freshman retention
94%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$56,210
$28,018
Median earnings (10 yr)
$80,735
$41,198
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
36%
24%
First-generation students
44%
16%
International students
12%
26%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 5

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of California-Irvine or California Institute of the Arts harder to get into?
University of California-Irvine is harder to get into. It admits about 29% of applicants, compared with 32% at California Institute of the Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or California Institute of the Arts?
University of California-Irvine is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,251 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $46,080 at California Institute of the Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Irvine and California Institute of the Arts?
Before aid, University of California-Irvine costs about $38,632 a year and California Institute of the Arts about $77,560. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-Irvine or California Institute of the Arts?
University of California-Irvine. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,123 there, against about $26,686 at California Institute of the Arts. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of California-Irvine or California Institute of the Arts?
University of California-Irvine is the larger of the two, with about 30,197 undergraduates against 860 at California Institute of the Arts.
Does University of California-Irvine or California Institute of the Arts have a better graduation rate?
University of California-Irvine has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 65% at California Institute of the Arts.
Do graduates of University of California-Irvine or California Institute of the Arts earn more?
University of California-Irvine alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,735 ten years after enrolling, against about $41,198 for California Institute of the Arts. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of California-Irvine and California Institute of the Arts require SAT or ACT scores?
University of California-Irvine is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California Institute of the Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school