University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California · Public · 28.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-Irvine scores 94 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale, driven by a 4.3-year payback period, $44,300 median 6-year earnings, and a $14,251 average net price for a 30,197-student research university. The earnings premium sub-score of 97 reflects how dramatically UCI graduates outperform comparable non-attendees. The 86.9% completion rate is among the highest in the UC system. Computer Science (467 graduates, A grade, $82,161 year-one, $127,404 year-four) and Computer Engineering (243 graduates, A grade, $79,812 year-one, $132,357 year-four) are the flagship programs. Nursing (47 graduates, A grade) and Mechanical Engineering (284 graduates, A grade) round out the top tier. At the other end, Philosophy earns an F grade with a ratio of 1.133, and Human Biology -- a pre-medical holding major -- reports $12,187 year-one and a ratio of 1.715, by far the worst in the Scorecard data for this institution. Biology (766 graduates, C grade, $25,388 year-one) shows the pre-med pipeline effect at large scale. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score ranges for UCI.
The median graduate earns $80,735 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
University of California-Irvine
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $8,123 per year at UCI -- roughly $32,500 over four years. Against $44,300 median 6-year earnings and a 4.3-year institutional payback, this is one of the best cost-to-outcome ratios for low-income students at any selective research university in the country. The 36.1% Pell rate reflects the actual enrollment of low-income students who successfully access this value.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $11,642 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $15,164. Both represent exceptional value for a 94-score research university. CS and engineering graduates in these brackets recover their full four-year cost within 1-2 years of earning their first salary. Social science and humanities graduates face a longer but still reasonable payback window.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $30,546 per year -- roughly $122,000 over four years. For engineering and CS graduates earning $80k-$82k at year one, the payback is approximately 1.5 years. For biology and humanities graduates with modest year-one earnings, the payback extends to 10+ years at full pay. The program selection decision is particularly consequential at this income level.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (467 graduates) earns an A grade: $82,161 year-one and $127,404 year-four with $15,500 median debt and a ratio of 0.189. At $14,251 average net price, the debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptional even with the UC system's cost structure. UCI's CS program feeds Southern California's technology sector and is a strong feeder to large tech companies nationally. The combination of scale (467 graduates) and earnings quality is unusual -- most schools with CS cohorts this size show diluted outcomes.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering (243 graduates) earns an A grade: $79,812 year-one and $132,357 year-four with $19,233 median debt and a ratio of 0.241. The year-four figure of $132k is among the highest in the UCI program roster. Computer Engineering at UCI bridges hardware and software, positioning graduates for roles in semiconductor, embedded systems, and advanced computing -- sectors with significant presence in Southern California and the broader tech corridor.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (47 graduates) earns an A grade: $87,715 year-one and $119,502 year-four with $13,400 median debt and a ratio of 0.153 -- one of the best ratios in UCI's entire program catalog. California nursing wages are among the highest nationally, which drives the strong year-one figure. The year-four trajectory to $120k reflects experienced RN and specialty nursing salaries in Southern California's large hospital system.
Biology
Biology (766 graduates) earns a C grade: $25,388 year-one and $56,273 year-four with $15,767 median debt and a ratio of 0.621. Biology is UCI's largest Scorecard program and includes a large pre-medical population. The $25k year-one reflects graduates in graduate school, post-baccalaureate programs, or early research positions -- not the eventual earnings of physicians or researchers. The four-year jump to $56k captures some professional school completions entering the labor market.
Human Biology
Human Biology (104 graduates) earns an F grade with $12,187 year-one and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.715 -- the worst in UCI's program data. Human Biology is a dedicated pre-health major; virtually all graduates enter medical, dental, veterinary, or graduate programs and are not earning full professional salaries at year one. The F grade is a Scorecard artifact of the pipeline structure, not an indication of poor long-term outcomes. Students should expect four or more additional years of training before professional earnings materialize.
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 |
At 28.6% admission, UCI is moderately selective within the UC system -- more selective than UC Santa Cruz and Riverside, less selective than UCLA and Berkeley. Scorecard does not report test score ranges. The school's strong STEM programs attract competitive applicants nationally and internationally. For California residents, the combination of selectivity, strong outcomes, and low net price makes UCI one of the highest-value options in the state.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include University of Florida, University of Washington, and UT Austin -- large selective public research universities with comparable scope. UCI's 94 ROI score is competitive with all peers on this list. The UC system's need-based aid model makes UCI particularly strong for lower-income California residents. Among UC campuses, UCI sits behind UCLA and Berkeley on selectivity but compares favorably on net price and program-level outcomes in engineering and CS.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
UCI admits 28.6% of applicants and enrolls 30,197 students in Irvine, California -- one of the larger UC campuses. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score ranges. Pell grant rate of 36.1% is high for a selective research university, reflecting the UC system's commitment to enrolling California's low-income students alongside need-based aid. The school's Orange County location gives graduates access to Los Angeles and San Diego labor markets as well as a dense technology and engineering employer base in the immediate region. Engineering, business, and biological sciences are the largest enrollment areas.
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.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
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.