Getting in
For Fall 2025, 124,231 first-year students applied to UC Irvine, 35,964 were admitted and 6,421 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 28.9%.
Source: UC Irvine Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Sep 30, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 86,230 | 18,922 | 21.9% |
| Out-of-state | 16,381 | 7,784 | 47.5% |
| International | 21,620 | 9,258 | 42.8% |
Source: UC Irvine Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Sep 30, 2026.
By school or major. UC Irvine's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by school or major.
Source: UC Irvine Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Early decision and early action. UC Irvine offers neither. The Common Data Set answers no to both.
Source: UC Irvine Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Some arts majors ask for more than the UC application:
- School of the Arts: Dance, Bachelor of Music and Arts. An audition or portfolio is required, between December 1 and January 31. Your applicant portal gives your exact deadline.
- School of the Arts: Drama. An optional portfolio or audition in your area of interest.
Source: UC Irvine Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Majors
85 majors across 14 schools. Every undergraduate major in UC Irvine's official General Catalogue, grouped by the school that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors and graduate programs are left out.
Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences10
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.S.)
- Biological Sciences (B.S.)
- Biology/Education (B.S.)
- Developmental and Cell Biology (B.S.)
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (B.S.)
- Genetics (B.S.)
- Human Biology (B.S.)
- Microbiology and Immunology (B.S.)
- Neurobiology (B.S.)
- Physiology and Exercise Science (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Claire Trevor School of the Arts7
- Art (B.A.)
- Dance (B.A.)Extra requirement: An audition or portfolio is required, between December 1 and January 31.
- Dance (B.F.A.)Extra requirement: An audition or portfolio is required, between December 1 and January 31.
- Drama (B.A.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Music (B.Mus.)Extra requirement: An audition or portfolio is required, between December 1 and January 31.
- Music Theatre (B.F.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, Claire Trevor School of the Arts (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences6
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Data Science (B.S.)
- Game Design and Interactive Media (B.S.)
- Informatics (B.S.)
- Information and Computer Science (B.S.)
- Software Engineering (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering10
- Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
- Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
- Biomedical Engineering: Premedical (B.S.)
- Chemical Engineering (B.S.)
- Civil Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Engineering (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
- Environmental Engineering (B.S.)
- Materials Science and Engineering (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Interdisciplinary Studies3
- Business Information Management (B.S.)
- Computer Science and Engineering (B.S.)
- Environmental Science and Policy (B.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, Interdisciplinary Studies (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health2
- Public Health Policy (B.A.)
- Public Health Sciences (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
The Paul Merage School of Business1
- Business Administration (B.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, The Paul Merage School of Business (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
School of Education1
- Education Sciences (B.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, School of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
School of Humanities21
- African American Studies (B.A.)
- Art History (B.A.)
- Asian American Studies (B.A.)
- Chinese Studies (B.A.)
- Classics (B.A.)
- Comparative Literature (B.A.)
- East Asian Cultures (B.A.)
- English (B.A.)
- European Studies (B.A.)
- Film and Media Studies (B.A.)
- French (B.A.)
- Gender and Sexuality Studies (B.A.)
- German Studies (B.A.)
- Global Cultures (B.A.)
- Global Middle East Studies (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- Japanese Language and Literature (B.A.)
- Korean Literature and Culture (B.A.)
- Literary Journalism (B.A.)
- Philosophy (B.A.)
- Religious Studies (B.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, School of Humanities (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences1
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
School of Physical Sciences6
- Applied and Computational Mathematics (B.S.)
- Applied Physics (B.S.)
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Environmental and Earth System Science (B.S.)
- Mathematics (B.S.)
- Physics (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, School of Physical Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
School of Social Ecology4
- Criminology, Law and Society (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Social Ecology (B.A.)
- Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy (B.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, School of Social Ecology (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
School of Social Sciences12
- Anthropology (B.A.)
- Business Economics (B.A.)
- Chicano/Latino Studies (B.A.)
- Cognitive Sciences (B.S.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- International Studies (B.A.)
- Language Science (B.A.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.S.)
- Quantitative Economics (B.A.)
- Social Policy and Public Service (B.A.)
- Sociology (B.A.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, School of Social Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing1
- Nursing Science (B.S.)
Source: UC Irvine General Catalogue 2026-27, Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Source: UC Irvine Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab), for the extra requirements. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC application (one filing period) | November 30 | March 1 to 31 | No |
You apply on the UC application, which opens August 1. UC Irvine posts first-year decisions in your applicant portal.
Source: UC Irvine Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Nothing is binding. For fall 2027 the University of California has one filing period, October 1 to November 30, with admission decisions in March.
Source: UC Admissions, First-Year Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
UC Irvine is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered for admission or scholarships, even if you send them. After you enroll, scores may be used for class placement or some graduation requirements.
Source: UC Irvine Admissions, First-Year Admission (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
The Common Data Set agrees: it answers no to using SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions.
Source: UC Irvine Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Changes already in effect
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
- Math. A statistics or additional math course taken in fall 2026 or later no longer makes up for a missing or low grade in Algebra II or Math III. It still counts as an extra year of math. Seniors applying this fall: this already applies to courses you take this year.
Source: UC Admissions, Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions (August 2026) (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
- Math. From fall 2026, AP Statistics no longer meets two years of the UC math requirement. AP Precalculus (with a score of 4 or 5), AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC and IB HL Mathematics Analysis and Approaches still do.
Source: UC Admissions, Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions (August 2026) (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked UC Irvine's admission pages on September 30, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: UC Irvine Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at UC Irvine, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Systemwide fees | $15,588 | $15,588 |
| Campus fees | $4,701 | $4,701 |
| Nonresident tuition and fees | $0 | $39,270 |
| Housing (on campus) | $12,053 | $12,053 |
| Food | $7,323 | $7,323 |
| Books and supplies | $1,512 | $1,512 |
| Personal | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Transportation | $1,228 | $1,228 |
| Total | $45,206 | $84,476 |
The budget for a new student living on campus. UC Irvine publishes the in-state total; the out-of-state total adds the $39,270 the same page tells nonresidents to add.
Source: UC Irvine Financial Aid, New Student Budgets 2026-27 (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $8,123 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $9,313 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $11,642 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $15,164 |
| Over $110,000 | $30,546 |
| All incomes | $14,251 |
What first-year, full-time in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from UC Irvine's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of California, Irvine on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA · Public30% admitted$16,665 average net price
University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · Public28.6% admitted$12,470 average net price
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · Public37.4% admitted$15,364 average net price
University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · Public38.2% admitted$16,109 average net price
University of California, DavisDavis, CA · Public44.3% admitted$14,741 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.