Head-to-head · 2026
University of California-Irvine vs University of California-San Diego
Compare average net price ($14,251 at University of California-Irvine; $12,470 at University of California-San Diego), ROI score (14.16 vs 17.03), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($80,735 vs $84,943), and admissions selectivity (28.6% acceptance at University of California-Irvine; 26.7% at University of California-San Diego) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of California-Irvine | University of California-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.16 | 17.03 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,251 | $12,470 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $57,004 | $49,880 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $15,722 | $16,758 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $49,922 | $50,958 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $80,735 | $84,943 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 28.6% | 26.7% |
| Graduation rate | 86.9% ✓ | 86.1% |
| Retention rate | 94.1% ✓ | 94% |
| Median debt | $15,000 ✓ | $15,500 |
| Enrollment | 30,197 | 34,948 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of California-Irvine | University of California-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,123 | $7,525 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,313 | $8,155 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,642 | $9,942 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,164 ✓ | $15,199 |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,546 | $28,785 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of California-Irvine | University of California-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 7.6% | 6.8% |
| Biology, General | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| Economics | 4.1% | 3.8% |
| Public Health | 4.4% | 3.3% |
| Cognitive Science | 0.2% | 6.3% |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 0.1% | 6.3% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 5.4% | 1.1% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 2.2% | 3.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of California-San Diego reports the lower average net price by $1,781 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,124 difference over four years ($49,880 vs $57,004).
University of California-San Diego reports $4,208 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($84,943 vs $80,735). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 94.1% at University of California-Irvine and 94% at University of California-San Diego. Median federal debt among completers is $15,000 vs $15,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of California-Irvine vs University of California-San Diego, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of California-San Diego is cheaper — average net price $12,470 per year vs $14,251 at University of California-Irvine. The annual difference of $1,781 adds up to about $7,124 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of California-San Diego reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $84,943 vs $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. The gap in the federal data is $4,208. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of California-San Diego is more selective at 26.7% acceptance vs 28.6% at University of California-Irvine.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.