UC Irvine vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UDub)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of the University of California-Irvine (UCI) and the University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UW). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique strengths. UCI, nestled in sunny Southern California, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on research, while UW, located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, excels in STEM fields and offers a vibrant urban setting. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details that set these two universities apart, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, embarking on a journey toward your educational dreams.

	University of California-Irvine	University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Overview
Location	Irvine, California	Seattle, Washington
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	93.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	28.8%	53.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $85
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	107,950	48,840
Total number of admissions given out	31,110	26,121
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,489	7,252
Yield rate	20.9%	27.8%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $35,033 Out of state: $64,787	In state: $30,640 Out of state: $58,470
Average net price	$11,633	$8,701
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $10,927 Out of state: $38,757
Room & board	$16,869	$14,871
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $16,868	41.0% Average amount $15,895
Students receiving federal student loan	18.0% Average amount $4,696	19.0% Average amount $4,460
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $7,702	1.0% Average amount $24,258

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	29,449 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%	36,201 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	7,056 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%	16,233 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	13.5%	N/A
International students	18.0%	14.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	15,493	11,123
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Hawaii Texas New York	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions Engineering Education	Engineering Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.7%	83.9%
Dropout rate	6.4%	15.6%
Transferred out	9.1%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,124 Year 2: $190,536 Year 3: $178,048 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,708 Year 2: $90,983 Year 3: $109,642 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,417 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $102,324 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,451 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $101,335 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,618 Year 2: $81,929 Year 3: $95,882 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $95,654 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,796 Year 2: $73,128 Year 3: $86,654 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,841 Year 2: $65,332 Year 3: $85,004 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,056 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,300 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,396 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $80,210	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $189,764 Year 2: $218,927 Year 3: $206,965 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,990 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $154,987 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $137,584 Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $152,099 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $133,070 Year 2: $127,652 Year 3: $142,606 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $141,725 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $121,620 Year 2: $124,420 Year 3: $137,488 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $121,083 Year 2: $121,294 Year 3: $131,592 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $94,893 Year 2: $118,349 Year 3: $127,982 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,634 Year 2: $113,228 Year 3: $125,171 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,287 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $121,695

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UC Irvine and the University of Washington (Seattle)?

UC Irvine (UCI) is a public university located in Irvine, California, known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and biological sciences. It's part of the University of California system. The University of Washington (UW) is a public university in Seattle, Washington, renowned for its medical programs, computer science, and engineering. UW is generally considered to have a larger research focus and a more established reputation in certain fields, particularly medicine and public health. UCI offers a more suburban campus environment, while UW provides a more urban experience in a major city.
How do the academic reputations of UC Irvine and the University of Washington compare?

Both UC Irvine and the University of Washington are highly regarded universities. UW generally ranks higher overall, particularly in graduate programs and research output. However, UCI is also a strong institution, especially in specific fields like computer science and certain areas of engineering. The 'better' reputation depends on your specific field of study and career goals. For example, if you're interested in medicine or public health, UW might be a stronger choice. For certain areas of computer science, UCI is highly competitive.
What is the cost of attendance at UC Irvine versus the University of Washington?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. For California residents, UC Irvine will generally be less expensive than UW for out-of-state students. For Washington residents, UW will be significantly cheaper. Out-of-state tuition at both universities is substantial. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, and factor in living expenses, which can vary significantly between Irvine and Seattle.
What are the campus environments like at UC Irvine and the University of Washington?

UC Irvine offers a more suburban campus environment in the planned community of Irvine, California. It's known for its safe and well-maintained campus. The University of Washington's Seattle campus is located in a vibrant urban setting, offering access to the cultural and professional opportunities of a major city. UW's campus is larger and more integrated into the city landscape. Consider whether you prefer a quieter, more contained campus or a more bustling, urban environment.
How do the student bodies at UC Irvine and the University of Washington differ?

Both universities have large and diverse student bodies. UC Irvine has a higher percentage of students from California, particularly Southern California. The University of Washington draws students from across the United States and internationally, with a strong representation from the Pacific Northwest and Asia. Both universities are committed to diversity and inclusion, but the specific demographics may vary.
What are the popular majors at UC Irvine and the University of Washington?

Popular majors at UC Irvine include Computer Science, Engineering (especially Electrical and Computer Engineering), Biological Sciences, Business Administration, and Psychology. At the University of Washington, popular majors include Computer Science, Engineering (especially Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering), Biology, Business Administration, and Nursing. Both universities are strong in STEM fields, but UW has a particularly strong reputation in health sciences.
What are the research opportunities like at UC Irvine and the University of Washington?

Both UC Irvine and the University of Washington are research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. The University of Washington has a larger research budget and a broader range of research areas, particularly in medicine and public health. UC Irvine also has strong research programs, especially in areas like environmental science, engineering, and computer science. Look into specific research labs and faculty at both universities to see where your interests align best.
What is the surrounding area like for UC Irvine and the University of Washington?

UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California, a planned community known for its safety, good schools, and proximity to beaches and other Southern California attractions. The University of Washington is located in Seattle, Washington, a major city with a thriving tech industry, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and access to outdoor recreation in the Pacific Northwest. Consider whether you prefer the suburban lifestyle of Southern California or the urban environment of Seattle.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between UC Irvine and the University of Washington?

Both UC Irvine and the University of Washington offer career services to help students find internships and jobs. The University of Washington benefits from its location in Seattle, a major tech hub with companies like Amazon and Microsoft, providing numerous internship and job opportunities. UC Irvine is located in Orange County, which also has a strong economy, particularly in technology, healthcare, and business. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can help students with their career goals. The specific opportunities available will depend on your major and career interests.
What are the admission requirements like for UC Irvine and the University of Washington?

Both UC Irvine and the University of Washington are highly selective universities. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), essays, and extracurricular activities. The specific requirements may vary from year to year, so it's essential to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information. Both universities look for well-rounded students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a positive impact.

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