Side-by-side
California State University-San Marcos vs University of California-Irvine
The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.
Same s setting in the West, but more selective (29% vs 95%) — a stretch target if California State University-San Marcos is already on your list.
| California State University-San Marcos | University of California-Irvine | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 95% | 29% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $8,082 | $15,722 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $20,682 | $49,922 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | $8,082 | $15,722 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | $20,682 | $49,922 |
| Graduation rate | 54% | 86% |
| Total enrollment | 14,877 | 30,197 |
Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/california-state-university-san-marcos-vs-university-of-california-irvine.