Skip to content

University of California-Irvine vs Pitzer College

University of California-Irvine is a public university in Irvine, CA, and Pitzer College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pitzer College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 25% of applicants against 29% at University of California-Irvine. University of California-Irvine is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $14,251 a year against $34,191 at Pitzer College. About 86% of students graduate at University of California-Irvine, compared with 83% at Pitzer College. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Irvine alumni earn a median of about $80,735, against $69,512 for Pitzer College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

Pitzer College

Claremont, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Irvine, CA
Claremont, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
30,197
1,227
Acceptance rate
29%
25%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.52–4
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
$34,191
Full cost / yr
$38,632
$86,466
In-state tuition
$15,722
$65,192
Out-of-state tuition
$49,922
$65,192
Application fee
$80
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,123
$14,535
$30k - $48k
$9,313
$7,769
$48k - $75k
$11,642
$20,846
$75k - $110k
$15,164
$29,452
Over $110k
$30,546
$46,793
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
83%
Freshman retention
94%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$56,210
$51,784
Median earnings (10 yr)
$80,735
$69,512
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
$16,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
36%
11%
First-generation students
44%
23%
International students
12%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 10

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 Pitzer College harder to get into?
Pitzer College is harder to get into. It admits about 25% of applicants, compared with 29% at University of California-Irvine. 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 Pitzer College?
University of California-Irvine is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,251 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,191 at Pitzer College. 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 Pitzer College?
Before aid, University of California-Irvine costs about $38,632 a year and Pitzer College about $86,466. 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 Pitzer College?
University of California-Irvine. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,123 there, against about $14,535 at Pitzer College. 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 Pitzer College?
University of California-Irvine is the larger of the two, with about 30,197 undergraduates against 1,227 at Pitzer College.
Does University of California-Irvine or Pitzer College have a better graduation rate?
University of California-Irvine has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 83% at Pitzer College.
Do graduates of University of California-Irvine or Pitzer College earn more?
University of California-Irvine alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,735 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,512 for Pitzer College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of California-Irvine and Pitzer College require SAT or ACT scores?
University of California-Irvine is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Pitzer College 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