UC Irvine vs U of A
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of the University of California-Irvine (UCI) and the University of Arizona (UA). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique strengths. UCI, nestled in the heart of Orange County, boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 27%, while UA, located in the vibrant city of Tucson, welcomes a broader range of students, reflected in its 80% acceptance rate. Explore the nuances of their academic offerings, as UCI excels in fields like engineering, biological sciences, and social sciences, while UA shines in areas such as agriculture, environmental science, and business. Delve into the diverse student bodies of these universities, where UCI fosters a predominantly Asian and White community, and UA embraces a more diverse mix of ethnicities. Discover the impact of these institutions on their graduates' success, with UCI boasting a slightly higher graduation rate of 84% compared to UA
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![]() University of Arizona |
![]() University of California-Irvine |
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Overview |
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Location | Tucson, Arizona | Irvine, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 93.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.3% | 28.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
|
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
|
SAT range | 1120 - 1370 | N/A |
ACT range | 21 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 48,065 | 107,950 |
Total number of admissions given out | 41,946 | 31,110 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 8,436 | 6,489 |
Yield rate | 20.1% | 20.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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In state:
$35,033
Out of state:
$64,787
|
Average net price | $17,242 | $11,633 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
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In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
|
$16,869 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
78.0%
Average amount $16,868 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
18.0%
Average amount $4,696 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
2.0%
Average amount $7,702 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
29,449
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
7,056
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 48.8% | 13.5% |
International students | 6.5% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,036 | 15,493 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado | California Washington Hawaii Texas New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 64.3% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 14.3% | 6.4% |
Transferred out | 19.6% | 9.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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