Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of California-Irvine worth it?
Pay $14,251/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $80,735 ten years out — about 5.7× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of California-Irvine vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of California-Irvine | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $14,251 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $80,735 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $15,000 | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 86.9% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 28.6% | 66% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $154,528 over four years. Most students get $24,381/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $15,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 19% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of California-Irvine grad earns about $1,429,400 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of California-Irvine
The average student at University of California-Irvine pays $14,251 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $38,632 published sticker price. That is below the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $80,735 — above the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $15,000, roughly $163 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 19% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of California-Irvine?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $14,251 per year. That's $24,381/yr in financial aid against the $38,632 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $57,004.
How much do University of California-Irvine graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Irvine graduates earn a median of $80,735 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 5.7× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of California-Irvine graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $15,000 — about $163/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 20.3% of students take federal loans.
Is University of California-Irvine worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of California-Irvine a value grade of A — top 14% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $14,251/yr, earn $80,735/yr ten years out, ROI score of 14.16. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of California-Irvine?
36.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 20.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $24,381 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of California-Irvine?
In-state tuition is $15,722 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $49,922 per year — a difference of $34,200/yr or $136,800 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of California-Irvine?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $8,123. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $30,546. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →