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College Comparison

WashU (St. Louis) 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

WashU (St. Louis)

St. Louis, MO

School

UC Irvine

Irvine, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricWashUUC Irvine
Acceptance Rate12.0%wins25.6%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,982$45,014wins
Avg Net Price$22,117$12,840wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,182wins$80,735
Graduation Rate94.5%wins86.0%
Retention Rate95.9%wins93.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio7:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment7,89729,494wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, WashU 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.

WashU Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 12.0%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,182
  • Graduation Rate: 94.5%

UC Irvine Strengths

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

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