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College Comparison

UC Irvine vs University of Kentucky: 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 Irvine

Irvine, CA

School

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC IrvineUniversity of Kentucky
Acceptance Rate25.6%wins92.4%
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1080–1290wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A21–28
Tuition (Out-of-State)$45,014$33,406wins
Avg Net Price$12,840wins$17,218
Median Earnings (10 yr)$80,735wins$59,025
Graduation Rate86.0%wins69.9%
Retention Rate93.8%wins86.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio18:117:1wins
Total Enrollment29,494wins23,189

Verdict

Based on the data above, UC Irvine edges out University of Kentucky on 6 of 9 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 Irvine Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 25.6%
  • Avg Net Price: $12,840
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,735
  • Graduation Rate: 86.0%

University of Kentucky Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1080–1290
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $33,406
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 17:1

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