UC Irvine vs Southern California Institute of Technology
Envision yourself pursuing higher education at two prestigious institutions in California: University of California-Irvine (UCI) and Southern California Institute of Technology (Caltech). While both offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UCI, a public research university, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like biological sciences, social sciences, and engineering. Caltech, a private research university, is renowned for its rigorous academics and strengths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. With UCI's higher acceptance rate and Caltech's lower student-to-faculty ratio, the choice between these esteemed universities hinges on your academic aspirations, preferred campus environment, and desired post-graduate outcomes. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discern which institution aligns best with your educational goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Southern California Institute of Technology |
![]() University of California-Irvine |
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Overview |
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Location | Anaheim, California | Irvine, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (For Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Non Traditional | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 81.0% | 93.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 59.6% | 28.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 166 | 107,950 |
Total number of admissions given out | 99 | 31,110 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 90 | 6,489 |
Yield rate | 90.9% | 20.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $40,348 |
In state:
$35,033
Out of state:
$64,787
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Average net price | $27,298 | $11,633 |
Tuition | $16,590 |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board | $16,869 | |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
94.0%
Average amount $7,413 |
78.0%
Average amount $16,868 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
76.0%
Average amount $10,279 |
18.0%
Average amount $4,696 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $10,397 |
2.0%
Average amount $7,702 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
521
Men 95.8% Women 4.2% |
29,449
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students | N/A |
7,056
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 13.5% |
International students | N/A | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 15,493 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | 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 | 30:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 78.5% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 21.0% | 6.4% |
Transferred out | 0.5% | 9.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Computer Science (Bachelor'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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