Verified data from IPEDS & College Scorecard

UC Berkeley vs UC Irvine

Berkeley, CA · Irvine, CA · Source: IPEDS federal database

UC BerkeleyUC Irvine
Acceptance Rate11.7%25.6%
In-State Tuition$14,850$14,237
Out-of-State Tuition$45,627$45,014
Average Net Price$16,997$14,647
Graduation Rate93.0%86.0%

GradFax Analysis

UC Berkeley accepts 11.7% of applicants. UC Irvine accepts 25.6%. Tuition is close: $14,850 at UC Berkeley, $14,237 at UC Irvine. UC Berkeley graduates 93% of students in 6 years. UC Irvine graduates 86%.

Bottom Line

Both are solid options. Get the actual aid estimates from each school and compare them side by side. The averages above won't tell your specific story.

Source: IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Full interactive comparison →UC Berkeley profileUC Irvine profile

Common Questions

Which is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or UC Irvine?

UC Berkeley. It accepts 11.7% of applicants, per IPEDS data.

Source: IPEDS

Is UC Berkeley or UC Irvine more affordable?

UC Irvine, on average. After aid, students pay $14,647/year versus $16,997/year. Your number depends on your aid package.

Source: IPEDS

Which has a better graduation rate?

UC Berkeley: 93% of students finish in 6 years. UC Irvine is at 86%.

Source: IPEDS

Data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), a federal database maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. Figures represent the most recent available academic year.

UC Berkeley vs UC Irvine: Acceptance Rate, Tuition & Outcomes (2026) | GradFax