University of California-Irvine vs University of California-San Diego
University of California-Irvine is a public university in Irvine, CA. University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. University of California-San Diego admits about 27% of applicants and University of California-Irvine about 29%, making University of California-San Diego the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,470 a year at University of California-San Diego after aid, and about $14,251 at University of California-Irvine. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 86% at University of California-Irvine. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $80,735 for University of California-Irvine.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
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.
- Is University of California-Irvine or University of California-San Diego harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% 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 University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $14,251 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.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Irvine and University of California-San Diego?
- Before aid, University of California-Irvine costs about $38,632 a year and University of California-San Diego about $38,701. 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 University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 there, against about $8,123 at University of California-Irvine. 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 University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 30,197 at University of California-Irvine.
- Does University of California-Irvine or University of California-San Diego have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 86% at University of California-Irvine.
- Do graduates of University of California-Irvine or University of California-San Diego earn more?
- University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 ten years after enrolling, against about $80,735 for University of California-Irvine. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Irvine and University of California-San Diego require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Irvine is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-San Diego is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Irvine and University of California-San Diego look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1230–1430 at University of California-Irvine and 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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.