UC Irvine vs University of Virginia

University of Virginia is the more selective of the two at 19%, versus 21% 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
Highly selective
21%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1420
Public · California
University of Virginia
Highly selective
19%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1510
Public · Virginia

UC Irvine vs University of Virginia: the differences that matter

How UC Irvine and University of Virginia stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

UC Irvine and University of Virginia are almost equally selective (21% vs 19%), 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 University of Virginia puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, interview. 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 University of Virginia's is around 1510. Admitted students at University of Virginia 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.

FactorUC IrvineUniversity of Virginia
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayconsideredimportant
Recommendationsconsideredimportant
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredimportant
Talent / abilityconsideredimportant
Character / personal qualitiesconsideredimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is UC Irvine or University of Virginia harder to get into?

University of Virginia is harder to get into, with a 19% acceptance rate versus 21% at UC Irvine.

What's the difference in SAT scores between UC Irvine and University of Virginia?

UC Irvine's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and University of Virginia's is around 1510.

What are my chances at UC Irvine and University of Virginia?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.