University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California · Public · 28.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-Irvine
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $15,722/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $49,922/yr |
| Average net price | $14,251/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,004 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,735 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $159 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 86.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 30,197 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,123 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,313 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,642 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,164 |
| $110,001+ | $30,546 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-Irvine with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $56,273 | C |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $54,323 | B |
| Business Information Systems | $77,807 | B+ |
| Computer Science | $127,404 | A |
| Political Science and Government | $57,935 | C+ |
| Psychology | $56,380 | C+ |
| Public Health | $60,430 | C+ |
| Economics | $83,937 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,755 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,111 | A |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-Irvine is $15,722/year ($49,922/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,251/year, or roughly $57,004 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,123/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,546/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $159 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $80,735 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.34 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 28.6% |
| Enrollment | 30,197 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $19,250 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Irvine (this school) | 94 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 94 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| University of Florida | 92 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 90 | $19,857 | $75,121 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-Irvine is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $57,004 and median graduate earnings of $80,735 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.3 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 86.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $15,000 is very manageable against $80,735 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.