UC Irvine vs The Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of the University of California-Irvine (UCI) and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU). UCI, nestled in sunny Southern California, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on research and innovation. PSU, located in the heart of Pennsylvania, offers a rich blend of academic programs, a vibrant student life, and a strong commitment to community engagement. While both universities share a reputation for academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() The Pennsylvania State University |
![]() University of California-Irvine |
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Overview |
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Location | University Park, Pennsylvania | Irvine, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 87.0% | 93.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 92.3% | 28.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | 1140 - 1360 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 96,686 | 107,950 |
Total number of admissions given out | 89,207 | 31,110 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 16,049 | 6,489 |
Yield rate | 18.0% | 20.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$38,270
Out of state:
$55,848
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In state:
$35,033
Out of state:
$64,787
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Average net price | $24,012 | $11,633 |
Tuition |
In state:
$18,368
Out of state:
$35,946
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In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,360
Meal plan:
$5,618
|
$16,869 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
51.0%
Average amount $9,884 |
78.0%
Average amount $16,868 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $5,305 |
18.0%
Average amount $4,696 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $19,837 |
2.0%
Average amount $7,702 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
73,476
Men 53.7% Women 46.3% |
29,449
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
15,438
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
7,056
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 34.1% | 13.5% |
International students | 10.5% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 20,547 | 15,493 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Virginia | California Washington Hawaii Texas New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.3% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 25.7% | 6.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | 9.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Associate's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Nuclear Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Compare Similar Colleges
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statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
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