UC Irvine vs UC San Diego
UC San Diego is the more selective of the two at 27%, versus 29% at UC Irvine. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.
UC Irvine vs UC San Diego: the differences that matter
How UC Irvine and UC San Diego stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.
UC Irvine and UC San Diego are almost equally selective (29% vs 27%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.
The two also read applications a little differently. UC Irvine leans more on a similar mix of factors, while UC San Diego puts more weight on application essay, level of applicant interest. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.
On test scores, UC Irvine's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420 and UC San Diego's is around 1490. Admitted students at UC San Diego post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.
What each school weighs
Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is UC Irvine or UC San Diego harder to get into?
UC San Diego is harder to get into, with a 27% acceptance rate versus 29% at UC Irvine.
What's the difference in SAT scores between UC Irvine and UC San Diego?
UC Irvine's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and UC San Diego's is around 1490.
What are my chances at UC Irvine and UC San Diego?
That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.