UC Irvine combines selective admissions with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces $16,437 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels well below peer institutions, creating outstanding value for diverse student populations.
Strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Controlled costs and low debt levels
The university's outstanding ability to convert access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
The university's outstanding ability to convert access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop 3 nationally for economic mobility
University of California-Irvine ranks #3 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 99.9th percentile. Located in Irvine, California, this large public research university maintains selective admission standards with a 25.6% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
UC Irvine enrolls 37.3% Pell-eligible students and 44.0% first-generation students, significantly above typical selectivity peers on access measures. Graduates earn $16,437 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 92.3rd percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $80,735 ten years after enrollment, placing UC Irvine at the 94.0th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $20,192 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions, exceptional access, and strong economic outcomes places UC Irvine firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement.
UC Irvine delivers outstanding earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and educational investment. Graduates earn a median of $80,735 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 94.0th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $54,469 at the 25th percentile to $117,372 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. The institution generates $16,437 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 92.3rd percentile nationally on this measure.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes in STEM and business fields who value high-quality public education with diverse student populations. Well-suited for first-generation students (44.0%) and Pell-eligible students (37.3%) who want selective admissions standards combined with exceptional economic mobility outcomes.
University of California-Irvine admits approximately 25.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 4 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places UC Irvine among selective public research universities, though notably more accessible than the most competitive UC campuses.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights UC Irvine's selectivity relative to typical four-year institutions—applicants face significantly more competition here than at most colleges nationwide. This level of selectivity means that strong academic credentials are essential, though not sufficient on their own.
Many well-qualified students will face disappointment in the admission process simply due to the volume of applications UC Irvine receives. Students considering UC Irvine should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes.
The university's 25.6% acceptance rate requires applicants to treat it as a reach or target school, depending on their academic profile. Successful applicants typically demonstrate not just strong test scores and grades, but also compelling personal statements, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and clear fit with UC Irvine's academic programs and campus culture.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of California-Irvine's published cost of attendance reaches $36,121 per year, including $14,237 in-state tuition, $18,423 for room and board, and $1,550 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $12,840 after financial aid, representing $23,281 in aid savings.
This substantial discount reflects UC Irvine's commitment to affordability through need-based aid programs. The average net price of $12,840 falls $2,750 below the peer median of $15,590, positioning UC Irvine as more affordable than typical institutions with similar academic profiles.
Net costs vary significantly by family income, ranging from $6,485 for lowest-income families to $29,595 for highest-income families. This $23,110 spread demonstrates progressive aid targeting, with the greatest support directed toward students with the highest financial need.
UC Irvine's affordability index ranks at the 86.1st percentile nationally, reflecting strong performance on cost management and aid effectiveness. Students should note that out-of-state tuition rises to $45,014, substantially increasing costs for non-California residents, though aid programs may offset some of this premium.
UC Irvine graduates demonstrate robust earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $56,210 six years after enrollment to $67,970 at eight years and $80,735 at ten years, representing 44% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,784 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $16,437 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UC Irvine at the 92.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $66,200, reflecting strong support for economic advancement. Earnings span from $54,469 at the 25th percentile to $117,372 at the 75th percentile, a 2.2:1 ratio that reflects differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 28% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry. With earnings $20,192 above the peer median, UC Irvine consistently delivers outcomes that exceed expectations for similar public research institutions.
Computer Science.
805 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
47 graduates
Information Resources Management.
44 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
288 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
103 graduates
UC Irvine offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Computer Science ranks #23 nationally and #8 in California, producing 805 graduates with median earnings of $111,041 and a value score of 88.0, making it the university's largest program by enrollment.
Behavioral Neuroscience ranks #7 nationally and #4 in California, graduating 698 students with median earnings of $50,813. Business/Managerial Economics ranks #7 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 696 students with median earnings of $66,614.
Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #5 nationally and #2 in California, with 501 graduates earning $53,761. Education, General ranks #1 nationally, graduating 367 students with median earnings of $52,320.
Criminology ranks #2 nationally and #1 in California, reflecting UC Irvine's exceptional strength across diverse academic fields with consistent top-tier national recognition.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Occidental College Higher acceptance rate (14.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 39 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 40% | $75,951 | Compare |
Pepperdine University Higher acceptance rate (24.3 percentage points higher) and located 57 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 50% | $82,939 | Compare |
Loyola Marymount University Higher acceptance rate (14.7 percentage points higher) and located 40 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 40% | $78,349 | Compare |
University Of Washington-Seattle Campus Higher acceptance rate (17 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | WA | 43% | $78,466 | Compare |
Binghamton University Higher acceptance rate (12.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 38% | $80,596 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College Similar quality tier (#2 ranked) | NY | 50% | $75,971 | #2 | Compare |
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This is the University Of California-Irvine hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-california-irvine/analysis.
University Of California-Berkeley Similar quality tier in West (#4 ranked) | CA | 12% | $92,446 | #4 | Compare |
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