University of California Irvine (UCI) Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

University of California, Irvine is a public research university in Irvine, California, known for its outstanding academic programs. Established in 1965, UCI quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence and innovation, consistently ranking among the top public universities in the nation.

Read on to learn about the admissions requirements, UCI acceptance rate, tuition, financial aid, popular majors, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

UC Irvine has several noteworthy programs, including computer science and the arts. In 2024-25, UC Irvine tuition and fees was $15,722 for in-state students and $49,922 for out-of-state students. The national averages for public four-year schools are $11,260 for in-state students and $29,150 for out-of-state students.

Costs for 2024-25

Financial Aid

In 2022-2023, 71% full-time students at University of California Irvine received some sort of financial aid, including student loans. More specifically:

•  Grant or scholarship aid: 65% of students received this aid with an average award of $21,533.

•  Federal grants: 35% of students received this aid with an average award of $6,091.

•  Pell grants: 35% of students received this aid with an average award of $5,644.

•  Other federal grants: 19% of students received this aid with an average award of $860.

•  State/local: 54% of students received this aid with an average award of $11,446.

•  Institutional: 56% of students received this aid with an average award of $10,164.

•  Student financial aid: 25% of students received this aid with an average amount of $6,223.

•  Federal student aid: 24% of students received this aid with an average amount of $4,573.

•  Other student aid: 7% of students received this aid with an average amount of $6,828.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: Scholarships can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Grants are generally based on financial need. These can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: Federal Work-Study provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: Federal student loans are money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

In 2022-2023, 7% of students at UCI received private student loans with an average amount of $6,828.

Private student loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

In 2024-25, UC Irvine tuition and fees for students in-state was $15,722. At this rate, four years of tuition and fees would equal $62,888 if no price increases occurred.

For out-of-state students, tuition and fees were $49,922. Four years at this rate would cost $199,688.

The good news: UCI has had only slight increases in both in-state and out-of-state tuition over the past few years.

Here’s some California Student Loan & Scholarship Information.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

UC Irvine tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses for the 2024-25 school year totaled $41,878 for in-state students and $76,078 for out-of-state students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

University of California, Irvine offers over 100 graduate programs. UC Irvine tuition for grad school is $12,762 (in-state) or $27,864 (out-of-state), plus fees totaling $2,065 for each. This is more than the average cost for one year of graduate school at a four-year public institution in the U.S., which is $10,320 per year. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Students can apply for part-time status each year, and if approved, may pay 50% of tuition. Tuition for part-time undergraduate students for 2024-25 is $2,191 per quarter (three quarters per year) for a total of $6,573 per academic year. Graduate students who are approved for part-time status in 2024-25 pay $2,127 per quarter (three quarters total) for a total of $6,381 per year.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2024-25

Freshmen are not required to live on campus, though more than 14,000 students choose to do so. There are two, first-year residence halls for students to live in.

There are many options near campus for students who choose to live in apartments or houses, either on their own or with roommates.

The university has an off-campus housing website to help you explore your living options.

University of California Irvine Acceptance Rate

Fall 2023

Admission Requirements

Interested students can apply here. The deadline is December 2. Here’s what’s required when applying for UC Irvine:

Required:

•   High school transcript and GPA

•   College preparatory program

•   Personal statement or essay

Students must have a 3.0 GPA (3.4 for nonCalifornia residents) or higher in required subjects with no grades below a “C.” UCI does not consider SAT or ACT scores during the admissions or scholarship process. Additional factors that may be considered are special talents, awards, and achievements; and special life circumstances that applicants have been able to rise above.

SAT and ACT Scores

University of California, Irvine does not use SAT or ACT scores for admission purposes.

Popular Majors at UCI

In 2023, 11,353 degrees were granted at UC Irvine. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Biology

UCI provides a strong foundation in architecture/systems, algorithms, data structures, and mathematical foundations and theories. In 2021, 8.5% of graduating undergraduates earned a computer science degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 766

2. Business/Managerial Economics

This degree provides an economics education from the perspective of business, while being guided by the rigorous logic of economics. Graduates are prepared for careers in finance, consulting, and strategic planning, or for advanced studies, leveraging courses in microeconomics, econometrics, and corporate finance.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 575

3. Research and Experimental Psychology

Students receive a foundation in psychology with an emphasis on research, studying how people function in a range of cultural, developmental, environmental, and social contexts. Students engage in empirical research, data analysis, and lab experiences, preparing for graduate studies or careers in research, clinical psychology, neuroscience, or related fields.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 566

4. Computer Science

A computer science degree at UC Irvine is offered through the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. The curriculum includes core courses in programming, data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, and discrete mathematics, supplemented by electives in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and graphics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 454

5. Psychology

In this program, students pursue a broad psychology degree and can use their education to work in social work, health services, human resources, marketing, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 437

6. Public Health

UC Irvine’s Bachelor of Arts in Public Health offers interdisciplinary coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and community health. Students engage in experiential learning and research opportunities, preparing them for careers in health promotion, disease prevention, or policy analysis.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 392

7. Criminology

UC Irvine’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminology examines crime, justice systems, and social issues through interdisciplinary coursework in sociology, psychology, and law. Students engage in research and fieldwork, preparing for careers in criminal justice, policy, legal advocacy, or advanced graduate programs.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 367

8. Business Administration and Management

UCI is a top business school and provides undergraduates with a broad education. The social science element helps students study people, groups, organizations, and more along with financial, IT, and marketing issues.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 360

9. Economics

Students study a range of economic-related topics for a broad education that can serve them well in business, government, and law. Coursework also includes plenty of mathematical classes, and students analyze markets, policy, and data using quantitative methods.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 302

10. Education

UC Irvine’s Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences, housed in the School of Education, explores learning theories, policy, and equity through interdisciplinary courses in psychology, sociology, and curriculum development. Students engage in research and fieldwork, preparing for careers in teaching, educational policy, administration, or advanced graduate and credential programs.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 272

UCI Graduation Rate

UCI graduation rate for students who started in the fall of 2017 are as follows:

•  4 years: 73%

•  6 years: 86%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The median annual salary for UCI graduates is $80,735. That’s higher than the national average of $68,680 for 2025.