Compare historical evidence, then verify your personal fit and cost.
Build a college shortlist| Measure | University of California-Irvine | University of California-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Campus | CA | CA |
| Institution type | Public | Public |
| Historical average net price | $14,251 | $12,470 |
| Four-year constant-cost scenario | $57,004 | $49,880 |
| In-state published cost of attendance | $40,117 | $39,316 |
| Out-of-state published cost of attendance | $70,894 | $70,093 |
| Admission policy / historical acceptance rate | 25.6% | 24.5% |
| Six-year graduation rate | 86.4% | 86.8% |
| Verify your cost | Official cost calculator / college cost page | Official cost calculator / college cost page |
Reporting years are not verified for every imported field. Historical averages are not current prices or aid offers; public net-price averages may cover in-state students. The four-year scenario assumes unchanged cost and aid, excluding inflation and loan interest.
Application scope: First-year applicants. UC San Diego's FAQ includes fall 2027 application information; UCI's supplemental-application page does not identify an entry year.
UC San Diego recommends a non-selective alternate major when your first choice is selective. First-year students can receive an undeclared offer. Its undergraduate college assignment is separate from major admission: compare general-education requirements when ranking colleges. The FAQ lists October 1–November 30, 2026 for submitting fall 2027 applications. Official source: UC San Diego selective majors and colleges.
UCI requires an Art portfolio and a Dance audition even when these are alternate majors. Its Music audition requirement applies to the B.Mus. program. If an arts program is on your list, track its supplemental deadline as well as the UC application. Official source: UC Irvine arts supplements.
Compare the major actually offered, then check prerequisites for a later change. For cost and aid, verify residency classification and a realistic housing budget at each campus. UC San Diego's FAQ explains that students from other states are ineligible for California financial aid; check each campus's aid office before assuming a grant applies to you.
Sources checked . Policies can change; verify the linked pages for your entry year. This check date covers the policy notes, not the reporting years of the historical metrics above.
Campus admission rates are historical context, not personal admission probabilities.
Open both official calculators above using the same household information. Compare grants, annual out-of-pocket cost, borrowing and renewal conditions. Historical net price is context, not your offer.
Work through the affordability checklist →The six-year rate describes an institution-level historical cohort. It does not predict your outcome or necessarily describe transfer, part-time or major-specific experiences. Ask each college about completion in your major, advising, required course availability and support.
Understand the cohort and data limitations →Saved categories start as target placeholders; they do not assess personal admission chances. Explore academic fit or check affordability.
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard. Institution-level outcomes describe past cohorts and do not predict individual results.
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