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College Comparison

UC Davis vs UC Irvine: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

UC Davis

Davis, CA

School

UC Irvine

Irvine, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC DavisUC Irvine
Acceptance Rate41.6%25.6%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/AN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/AN/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$46,024$45,014wins
Avg Net Price$15,288$12,840wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$80,838wins$80,735
Graduation Rate85.1%86.0%wins
Retention Rate93.4%93.8%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio21:118:1wins
Total Enrollment31,777wins29,494

Verdict

Based on the data above, UC Irvine edges out UC Davis on 6 of 8 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UC Davis Strengths

  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,838
  • Total Enrollment: 31,777

UC Irvine Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 25.6%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,014
  • Avg Net Price: $12,840
  • Graduation Rate: 86.0%

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