If you’re debating between attending the University of San Francisco (USF) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI), it’s essential to consider various factors like cost, tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus amenities, alumni success, and rankings. In the following sections, we will break down these aspects for both schools, which will help you make an informed decision when deciding which institution is the best fit for you.
University of San Francisco (USF) Overview
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university located in the heart of San Francisco. Established in 1855, USF offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, focusing on social justice, community engagement, and global perspectives. The university’s relatively small size provides an intimate learning environment and personalized attention from faculty.
USF Costs & Tuition
Tuition and fees at USF for the 2021-2022 academic year are $52,770 for full-time undergraduate students. Room and board costs are approximately $17,330. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with 73% of undergraduates receiving some form of assistance.
USF Admissions
USF has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 65%. The middle 50% of accepted students have an SAT score range of 1110-1280 and an ACT score range of 23-28. In addition to test scores, USF considers factors such as high school curriculum, GPA, extracurricular involvement, and personal statements.
USF Degrees Offered
USF offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across its colleges and schools, including Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Law, and Nursing and Health Professions. Popular majors include Business Administration, Nursing, Psychology, and Communication Studies.
USF Academics
The student-faculty ratio at USF is 13:1, and the average class size is 22 students. Faculty members are dedicated to providing rigorous, engaging, and personalized education, with 64% holding the highest degree in their field.
USF Diversity
USF boasts a diverse student body, with 25% of students identifying as Asian, 19% as Hispanic or Latino, 14% as two or more races, and 7% as African American. International students make up 13% of the undergraduate population, representing over 90 countries.
USF Students
USF enrolls more than 6,400 undergraduate and 3,900 graduate students. There are over 120 student clubs and organizations on campus, including cultural, academic, and special interest groups. The university offers various recreational opportunities, including club sports and intramurals.
USF Campus
USF’s scenic 56-acre campus is located in a residential neighborhood, close to San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, and Ocean Beach. The campus offers modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and research centers.
USF Alumni
Notable USF alumni include former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, professional basketball player Bill Cartwright, and actress Winona Ryder. The university’s alumni network spans over 115,000 members across multiple fields and industries.
USF Rankings
USF ranks #88 in the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best National Universities. The university is also recognized for its commitment to service-learning and social justice, ranking #3 in Campus Ethnic Diversity and #15 in Service Learning.
USF Outcomes
USF reports a six-year graduation rate of 74% and an average starting salary of $60,900 for recent graduates.
University of California, Irvine (UCI) Overview
Established in 1965, the University of California, Irvine is a public research university located in Southern California’s Orange County. UCI offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across its schools and colleges, including Arts, Biological Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Medicine, and Social Sciences.
UCI Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, in-state tuition and fees at UCI are $14,073, while out-of-state tuition is $43,597. Room and board costs are approximately $16,045. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with 65% of undergraduates receiving some form of assistance.
UCI Admissions
UCI has a highly competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 27%. The middle 50% of accepted students have an SAT score range of 1170-1420 and an ACT score range of 25-34. In addition to test scores, UCI considers factors such as high school curriculum, GPA, extracurricular involvement, and personal statements.
UCI Degrees Offered
UCI offers over 85 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate programs across its schools and colleges. Popular majors include Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, and Psychology.
UCI Academics
The student-faculty ratio at UCI is 18:1, and the average class size is 48 students for lower-division courses and 27 students for upper-division courses. UCI is committed to providing rigorous, engaging, and personalized education, with 97% of faculty holding the highest degree in their field.
UCI Diversity
UCI has a diverse student body, with 40% of students identifying as Asian, 23% as Hispanic or Latino, 14% as White, and 3% as African American. International students make up 12% of the undergraduate population, representing over 50 countries.
UCI Students
UCI enrolls more than 30,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students. There are over 600 student clubs and organizations on campus, including cultural, academic, and special interest groups. The university offers various recreational opportunities, including club sports, intramurals, and a 270,000-square-foot recreation center.
UCI Campus
UCI’s beautiful 1,500-acre campus is located in a suburban setting, with easy access to Southern California’s beaches, cultural attractions, and entertainment venues. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, a performing arts center, and a 45,000-square-foot student center.
UCI Alumni
Notable UCI alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Michael Chabon, professional baseball player Evan Longoria, and astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Steve Swanson. The university’s alumni network spans over 192,000 members across multiple fields and industries.
UCI Rankings
UCI ranks #35 in the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best National Universities. The university is also recognized for its commitment to undergraduate research and public service, ranking #1 in Education Quality, Faculty Resources, and Student Excellence in Money magazine’s 2021 Best Colleges.
UCI Outcomes
UCI reports a six-year graduation rate of 87% and an average starting salary of $55,800 for recent graduates.
University of San Francisco vs University of California, Irvine Cost Comparison
USF’s tuition and fees are significantly higher than UCI’s, particularly for in-state students. For the 2021-2022 academic year, USF’s full-time undergraduate tuition is $52,770, while UCI’s in-state tuition is $14,073, and out-of-state tuition is $43,597. Room and board costs are comparable, with USF at approximately $17,330 and UCI at $16,045. Both schools offer financial aid opportunities for eligible students, with 73% of USF undergraduates and 65% of UCI undergraduates receiving assistance.
University of San Francisco vs University of California, Irvine Admissions Difficulty
Both USF and UCI have competitive admissions processes. However, UCI is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 27%, compared to USF’s 65% acceptance rate. The middle 50% SAT score range for accepted students at UCI is 1170-1420, while USF’s range is 1110-1280. Similarly, the middle 50% ACT score range for UCI is 25-34, compared to USF’s 23-28.
University of San Francisco vs University of California, Irvine Academic Difficulty
Both institutions are committed to providing rigorous, engaging, and personalized education. USF has a lower student-faculty ratio of 13:1, compared to UCI’s 18:1. The average class size at USF is 22 students, while UCI’s lower-division courses average 48 students and upper-division courses average 27 students. The majority of faculty at both schools hold the highest degree in their field (64% at USF and 97% at UCI).
University of San Francisco vs University of California, Irvine Outcome Comparison
UCI has a higher six-year graduation rate of 87%, compared to USF’s 74%. However, USF’s average starting salary for recent graduates is $60,900, while UCI’s is $55,800. Both universities have successful alumni networks and strong outcomes in their respective fields.
Ultimately, deciding between USF and UCI will depend on factors such as tuition costs, program offerings, and personal preferences. In the end, both institutions provide high-quality education and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
