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College Comparison

University of Virginia 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

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

School

UC Irvine

Irvine, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUVAUC Irvine
Acceptance Rate16.9%wins25.6%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1410–1530winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$58,014$45,014wins
Avg Net Price$22,881$12,840wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,863wins$80,735
Graduation Rate95.3%wins86.0%
Retention Rate97.3%wins93.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio15:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment17,31529,494wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, UVA edges out UC Irvine 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.

UVA Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 16.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1410–1530
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,863
  • Graduation Rate: 95.3%

UC Irvine Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,014
  • Avg Net Price: $12,840
  • Total Enrollment: 29,494

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