Irvine, CA · Private University
Is UC Irvine Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$80,735
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,237
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,014
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$180,056
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.79x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
86.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,840
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of California-Irvine graduates earn $35,735 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of California-Irvine ranked by graduate earnings
595 graduates
62 graduates
29 graduates
220 graduates
116 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of California-Irvine
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of California-Irvine, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $111,041) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $21,818) is $89,223/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $111,041 | 2.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $102,995 | 2.3x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $100,891 | 2.2x |
| Computer Engineering | $100,156 | 2.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $94,445 | 2.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $93,730 | 2.1x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $88,082 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $86,209 | 1.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,948 | 1.9x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $82,806 | 1.8x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,714 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,854 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics | $70,461 | 1.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $66,614 | 1.5x |
| Chemistry | $65,713 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $63,977 | 1.4x |
| Materials Engineering(1yr data) | $58,177 | 1.3x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $57,317 | 1.3x |
| History | $57,191 | 1.3x |
| International/Global Studies | $57,030 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $56,003 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $55,323 | 1.2x |
| Public Health | $53,761 | 1.2x |
| Philosophy | $52,707 | 1.2x |
| Education, General | $52,320 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $51,708 | 1.1x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $51,127 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $50,846 | 1.1x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $50,813 | 1.1x |
| Criminology | $50,638 | 1.1x |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $50,557 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $48,998 | 1.1x |
| Journalism | $48,898 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $48,182 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,524 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $45,212 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology | $44,884 | 1.0x |
| Social Sciences, General | $44,687 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $44,184 | 1.0x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $43,896 | 1.0x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $43,144 | 1.0x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $42,200 | 0.9x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $40,166 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,977 | 0.8x |
| Area Studies(1yr data) | $30,897 | 0.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $25,680 | 0.6x |
| Dance | $22,738 | 0.5x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $21,818 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of California-Irvine offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $80,735 10 years after starting — $35,735 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.