University of Florida vs University of California-Irvine
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Florida and University of California-Irvine are closely matched on financial return. University of Florida scores 92/100 while University of California-Irvine scores 94/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Florida comes in at $6,541 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,251 at University of California-Irvine - a difference of $7,710 annually, or roughly $30,840 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Irvine graduates earn a median of $80,735 compared to $71,588 at University of Florida. The payback period is 4.5 years at University of Florida versus 4.3 years at University of California-Irvine.
Graduates leave University of California-Irvine with a median $15,000 in debt versus $15,000 at University of Florida. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.31 and 0.34 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Florida | University of California-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,381 | $15,722 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,659 | $49,922 |
| Net Price (avg) | $6,541 | $14,251 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $26,164 | $57,004 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,700 | $44,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,588 | $80,735 |
| Graduation Rate | 91.1% | 86.9% |
| Payback Period | 4.5 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $159 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.31 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.9% | 82.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.8% | 78.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 24.2% | 28.6% |
| Enrollment | 35,629 | 30,197 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Florid... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $1,982 | $8,123 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $2,768 | $9,313 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,151 | $11,642 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $12,905 | $15,164 |
| $110,001+ | $16,723 | $30,546 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Florid... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $128,140 | $132,357 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $126,268 | $96,347 |
| Registered Nursing | $79,839 | $119,502 |
| Chemical Engineering | $109,607 | $97,656 |
| Electrical Engineering | $107,543 | $106,871 |
| Materials Engineering | $87,779 | $106,547 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $94,375 | $100,537 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,113 | $99,111 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $88,078 | $96,874 |
| Civil Engineering | $86,453 | $96,354 |
| Physics | $68,682 | $96,215 |
| Mathematics | $93,022 | $77,472 |
| Economics | $89,075 | $83,937 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $82,615 | $80,755 |
| Chemistry | $56,179 | $74,810 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Florid... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 99 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 96 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 93 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 97 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 48 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 92 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Irvine edges out University of Florida by 2 points (94 vs 92), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Florida
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of California-Irvine
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.