Overview of University of California at Irvine (UC Irvine)

Situated in the heart of Orange County, University of California, Irvine is a public research institution with an acceptance rate of 29%. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 36,032 (29,736 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 49 percent male/51 percent female
• 98 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $13,727 (in-state); $43,481 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,390
• Room and Board: $16,135
• Other Expenses: $4,111
• Total Cost: $35,363 (in-state); $65,117 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 68 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 63 percent
  • Loans: 38 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $18,644
  • Loans: $5,653

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Social Psychology; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Business/Managerial Economics; Computer Science; and Public Health, Other

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 93 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 10 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 68 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 83 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo

Overview of University of California at Irvine (UC Irvine) Admissions

The University of California, Irvine, which accepts just over one-fourth of applicants, has a very selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data             

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, UC Irvine had an acceptance rate of 29%.  For every 100 students who submitted applications, 29 students gained admission, making UC Irvine’s admissions procedure highly competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 88% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UC Irvine’s students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 580 and 670 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 580 and 25% scored over 670. 50% of students scored between 610 and 740 on the math part, while 25% scored under 610, and 25% scored over 740. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1490 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UC Irvine.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2016-17 admissions phase, 41% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most UC Irvine’s students fall within the top 22% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to the University of California, Irvine, received a cumulative ACT score between 25 and 33, while 25% scored over 33, and 25% scored under 25.

GPA

In 2019, the median 50% of the University of California, Irvine’s incoming class, had high school GPAs between 4.0 and 4.26. 25% had a GPA of over 4.26, and 25% had a GPA under 4.0.  Successful applicants to UC Irvine have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UC Irvine, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If UC Irvine is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati, Hofstra University, Temple University, Auburn University, Seton Hall University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UC Irvine, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UC Irvine. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Villanova University, Binghamton University, Lehigh University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas

Applying to UC Irvine

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://admissions.uci.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://admissions.uci.edu/apply/how.php

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/index.php

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://apply.grad.uci.edu/apply/