Universities in Irvine, USA
- Rankings & Reviews -

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Irvine
  • 06 Mar, 2024: Publication of Scimago Institutions Rankings. University of California, Irvine ranked #123.
  • 25 Jan, 2024: THE World’s Most International Universities updated with University of California, Irvine in position 85.
  • 19 Dec, 2023: Urap published most recent results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. University of California, Irvine achieves position 158.
  • 05 Dec, 2023: Latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability from British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK. University of California, Irvine in position #398.

Said to be one of the happiest cities in America, Irvine, California, is a safe city with an abundance of entertainment activities. The warm weather and sunny days make people want to be out and about. The layout of the city, with some parts being closer to the sea, means that there are different microclimates, and you may find that the neighbourhood next to yours has a little less, or a little more, precipitation or cloud. Never enough to merit a move, but enough to give you something to talk about.

The job market is stable, and Irvine is home to many large national companies as well as the North American headquarters of several important international corporations, many of which are from the video game and tech industries. Students, graduates and professionals alike have plenty of opportunities here.

Nature lovers can visit Turtle Rock, the Irvine Open Space Preserve, and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. A different kind of fun can be had at the Irvine Spectrum Center, an outdoor shopping centre which also has rides, like the Giant Wheel and a carousel, as well as a 21 screen cinema. The many festivals and events held in Irvine throughout the year provide students with the perfect break from their course loads and an opportunity to recharge their batteries.


Rankings of universities in Irvine, USA 2024

  • #34 
  • #92 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #87 
  • #87 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #51 
  • #268 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
Show 30 more rankings of University of California, Irvine and subject specific rankings for 11 subjects

#2
USA

Brandman University

  • #1220 
  • #1278 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1215 
  • #1276 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]

#3
USA

West Coast University

  • #250 
  • #349 
StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
[Published 06 September, 2021]
  • #1414 
  • #8696 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]


Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 121 student ratings)
  • #714 
  • #600 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #495 
  • #510 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #341 
  • #345 
US News Best National Universities
[Published 17 September, 2023]
Show 5 more rankings of Concordia University Irvine

#5
USA

Western State College of Law at Westcliff University


#6
USA

Stanbridge University


Highest subject rankings of universities in Irvine

Education US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#10 
University of California, Irvine
Engineering Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#15 
University of California, Irvine
Law GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#15 
University of California, Irvine
Computer Science Best Colleges for Computer Science Majors
#19 
University of California, Irvine
Sociology GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#24 
University of California, Irvine
Business MONEY Best Colleges for Business Majors
#45 
University of California, Irvine
Physics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#50 
University of California, Irvine
Mathematics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#51 
University of California, Irvine
Agriculture URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#110 
University of California, Irvine
Medicine QS World University Rankings By Subject
#151 
University of California, Irvine

Student Opinions About Studying in Irvine

“Irvine offers the benefits of higher-density living. It’s a charming and beautiful place where you feel very safe. Its natural zones are stunning, offering many outdoor activities to get involved with, and most importantly for a student like myself the universities are diverse and well-ranked. Locals tend to get around by walking or riding a bike, which I find to be quite refreshing.”

“The city could be a little more culturally diverse to be honest, but this is improving thanks to the universities and their widening appeal for international students. I’d say it’s ideal for anyone, offering a great variety of job opportunities and entertainment options too. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

“I’ve found the locals to be exceptionally friendly, which makes me feel comfortable, especially as a foreign student. There are plenty of restaurants and bars where you can hang out, and scenic natural areas where you can spend an afternoon. I hope I can stay here after graduation.”

Irvine Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • The city enjoys almost 300 sunny days per year, ideal for an active lifestyle.
  • Irvine is one of the safest places in America and in the world, according to both the statistics and public opinion.
  • Irvine is close to over 100 beaches, where you can surf, sunbathe, swim, or just relax with a book and listen to the waves.

CONS

  • Unfortunately, Irvine is an expensive city to live in due to its location and popularity. However, students often express that they don’t mind paying a little extra to stay in a place like this.

  • Students hoping to experience the four-season weather in America, with snowy winters, cool autumn days, etc, may be disappointed. Irvine doesn’t have a classic four-season cycle.

  • You can walk or ride a bike almost everywhere within the city, however, if you’re looking to commute from the outskirts or to visit the surrounding towns, the common opinion is that you need a car to get the most out of Irvine.


4 out of 6 Universities in Irvine Ranked in at least one ranking

33 Different Rankings list Universities in Irvine (22 institution and 11 subject rankings)

24 Global Rankings rank Universities in Irvine Among TOP 200

Population: 257000

Elevation: 17 m. above sea level

Time: GMT -8

District/province: California, Orange County

Living costs for students in Irvine:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 101* (1% more expensive than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 95* (5% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 99* (1% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 5.15 US$
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

Map with location of universities in Irvine

google static map google map control google map control

Useful related pages

Links below are handpicked for usefulness. We might earn a commission on purchases.

FAQ

University of California, Irvine ranks #1 in Irvine in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Irvine University of California, Irvine is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 48 rankings where University of California, Irvine is listed.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Education (Education). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Engineering (Engineering). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Law (Law). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Social Studies & Humanities (Sociology). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Business (Business). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Natural Sciences (Physics). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Agriculture (Agriculture). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Medicine & Health (Medicine). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

University of California, Irvine is ranked best in Irvine for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the University of California, Irvine.

Ranking publishers

4icu

view methodology

view methodology

British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

view methodology

view methodology

CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

view methodology

Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

view methodology

Forbes

view methodology

Kiplinger

Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:

Quality Criteria 55% Cost Criteria 45%

view methodology

MONEY

Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Public Colleges:

Quality of education 33.33% Affordability 33.33% Outcomes 33.33%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value:

Quality of education 33.33% Affordability 33.33% Outcomes 33.33%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Colleges That Add the Most Value:

Quality of education 33.33% Affordability 33.33% Outcomes 33.33%

view methodology

NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

view methodology

Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

view methodology

Payscale

Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):

Ranking is based on ROI

view methodology

view methodology

RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

view methodology

Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

view methodology

ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

view methodology

StuDocu

view methodology

THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:

Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%

view methodology

view methodology

The Princeton Review

view methodology

Urap

view methodology

Us News

view methodology

view methodology

Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings:

Outcomes 40% (employability) Resources 30% Engagement 20% (teaching) Environment 10% (diversity)

view methodology

Washington Monthly

Criteria used in ranking -Washington Monthly - National Universities:

Social Mobility 33.33%
Research 33.33%
Community and National Service 33.33%

view methodology

Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

view methodology