University of California - Irvine Reviews

  • 158 Reviews
  • Irvine (CA)
  • Annual Tuition: $44,011
94% of 158 students said this degree improved their career prospects
97% of 158 students said they would recommend this school to others
Start Your Online College Search:

Student & Graduate Reviews

Cheryl
  • Reviewed: 2/8/2023
  • Degree: English
"UC Irvine is a wonderful school. I was an English major and my class sizes were small. The professors were helpful and made themselves available during office hours. The campus is beautiful and has a park in the middle. Overall I really enjoyed my experience at UCI!"
Cheryl
  • Reviewed: 2/8/2023
  • Degree: English
"I loved my experience at UCI and would choose this college all over again. The campus is beautiful with a park in the middle, and the student center is lively. The professors were very knowledgeable and made themselves available to students. Overall, UCI is a great college to go to."
Sam
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"Overall, attending U.C. Irvine for my undergraduate studies was a very bland, unexciting and lackluster experience that I regretted almost instantly. The school does very little for the students in terms of on-campus activities and their career center is of very little help - especially compared to what I have heard from friends at other universities. The vibe of the school feels very subdued. I was very envious of schools like UCLA and USC that had many more activities, resources, events and proud and helpful alumni groups for their students. Just about every one of my friends from UCI says the same about the school. Most regret their decision and are still unhappy about their experience. In regards to professors and classes, expect helpful professors to be the exception rather than the rule. Most professors (especially in the sciences) are difficult to understand with thick accents. They seem more concerned with their own research than in actually teaching. Oftentimes, lectures are more than half empty and only fill up on exam days. If you are considering UC Irvine for your undergraduate experience, I highly recommend you reconsider your choices and really understand what you are getting into before finalizing your decision."
John Doe
  • Reviewed: 7/26/2019
  • Degree: Public Health
"Great school, lots of motivated students and expect to work hard if you are a pre-health student. I was a pre-dental student and there was 400 students in each class, expect competition with office hours consisting of around 30 students. If you are pre-health I recommend getting into research."
Jennifer Marroquin
  • Reviewed: 7/10/2019
  • Degree: Political Science
"UCI is one of the best public institutions in the country and the education was as such. I was exposed to so many great, thoughtful, and interesting minds. I consider myself so lucky to be able to say that I received a Bachelor's Degree from this school. I left every class feeling accomplished and more knowledgeable. UCI provides an all around great environment for learning and living. The instructors were thoughtful and truly cared about their students. The person that I am I owe to UCI. I learned about what I was really interested and became inspired through various lectures. UCI provides multiple opportunities for success in the classroom and outside of the classroom. I absolutely loved UCI and returning would be an honor."
Rebecca
  • Reviewed: 7/2/2019
  • Degree: Performing Arts
"I loved being a student at UCI. I was a Drama major, and I had a lot of opportunities to participate in the classes and extracurriculars that I enjoyed. The faculty in my experience were all very knowledgeable and invested in their students. They made lectures, workshops and plays fun and engaging. I chose to attend the University of California, Irvine because of the quality of the education, the scholarships available and the incredible environment within the campus and surrounding it. There is a park in the middle that the campus wraps itself around (in a circle). The food scene next to the campus is also diverse and there are plenty of restaurants both to eat at and the hold a part -time job at (if you need to work like I did to pay for your living expenses/tuition while studying). Irvine is a very clean, beautiful and fairly safe community. It is also very close to Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, which are wonderful to venture over to on the weekends after your studies/work are complete. The campus has a well rounded, diverse group of students in which make up interactive and encouraging classroom atmospheres. The professors want to see their students succeed and the school itself provides many helpful resources such as tutoring, health services, and clubs to help you succeed as well."
Jenny Tran
  • Reviewed: 6/30/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"The university has a beautiful and very structured campus that allows for students to go to their different classes within 10 minutes. The park in the middle is a nice scenery for students to relax in between their studies or going between their classes. Irvine is a relatively quiet and safe city. There are many cities near the area for students to enjoy good food and nightlife. The professors were dedicated to the student's learning and many professors teach the course based on their own personal research. I recommend this University because there are many different research opportunities for students. The campus life for students is very inviting and there are a wide variety of clubs for students to choose from. I've volunteered at the UCI Medical Center that gives students a great insight if looking into the medical field. There is so many different research fields at this university, you will be able to find one that peaks your interest. The biology courses are hard and professors challenge students. There are many student run tutoring and opportunities for your main biology and chemistry courses. You don't necessarily need a car because target is across campus and there are many restaurants at the locally UTC but its nice to have if you want to go to nearby cities. The financial services are busy during the school year, I recommend going early otherwise be prepared to wait in very long lines. However, they do try their best to accommodate students and help you with your needs. Living situation is very expensive. Many students share rooms or houses."
Kirsten Joie Ignacio
  • Reviewed: 6/25/2019
"UC Irvine was an excellent place for me to obtain my Bachelor's degree. The campus provided many support services for students and even spearheaded a food bank to make food more easily accessible and affordable. There is a wide variety of student organizations to participate in, which participation greatly influenced the trajectory of my career and my graduate studies."
Sonia Khatri
  • Reviewed: 6/24/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"If I were to go back again to my senior year of high school during the decision process, I would choose UC Irvine once again. Not only is this school located in a safe, clean area, it is the place for scientific innovation. Being a young UC school, we have reached and became the #7 public institution in the nation. The classes as a bio major are tough, but they offer tutoring on campus. The people I have met are super friendly and helpful."
Allison
  • Reviewed: 5/8/2019
  • Degree: Liberal Studies
"UCI is a great school for students who are looking to study math and/or science. Unfortunately, I was a humanities major so the school lacked the funding and resources that other majors are afforded. I will say that the majority of professors I had were very available to students and eager to help students succeed."
Elaine G.
  • Reviewed: 5/8/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"Do you like beating world records? Do you like sunny days in California? How about a verdant park in the heart of campus to take naps in between classes? Then University of California, Irvine is right for you! I give UCI 5/5 stars, hands down. UCI is currently 3rd on Forbes Best Value list, 3rd on Money Magazines list of Best Colleges in the U.S., and 7th in U.S. News and World Reports list for Best Public University. With those numbers, that is a lot to be proud of! I really got the best bang for my buck going to UCI for my Bachelors in Biological Sciences. I am the first in my family to go to college in the U.S. and UCI was a great choice. It got me to where I am today, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student. We can all argue that education is the most important part of a university, but there are so many other things that make a school special. I stan UCI with all my heart. UCI earns extra cool points in diverse ways. We are the Guinness World Record holders for the largest dodgeball game after reclaiming the title two times. I was lucky enough to participate in 2012! They also hold other records for largest pillow fight, water pistol fight, and Capture the Flag game. Talk about a fun time while making history! Fun fact: One of the housing areas, Middle Earth, is based on Lord of the Rings. All the dorms, buildings, and even the food hall were named after LOTR locations. My freshman year, I lived in the Rivendell. It was awesome and something to boast about to my high school friends at other universities. One of my favorite spots on campus is the Cross-Cultural Center. It was a safe space to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and embrace who we are. It was a place we could all learn from each other and share our stories. Every Thursday I went to Kababayan meetings, an organization that helped me learn about my roots as a Filipina. UCI has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, EPA, and the state of California for their advances in energy management and efficiency. Theyre continually working towards sustainability and are leading the movement in colleges around the U.S. Im proud to come from a school that cares about the world and its future, and the impact they impress upon it. The highlight of my college experience was graduation, because guess who was our guest speaker? Barack Obama! This was in 2014 when he was still in office, by the way. I cant believe he took time out of his very busy POTUS schedule to come speak to us! It was also UCIs 50th anniversary, making it a truly special moment that Ill never forget. As you can tell, UCI is a very well rounded school, easily earning the high spots on the previously mentioned lists. Theyre dedicated to both education and its students, making sure the experience will be great and memorable. I dont know what life would be like if I didnt go UCI. It really helped me find myself and define who I am. Im going to pitch the heck out of UCI for my future children when it is their time to apply to college!"
Latina psych major
  • Reviewed: 5/8/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"I loved the psychology program at UCI! The professors were really nice and the school of social sciences had a lot of great resources for its students. The advising staff was always incredibly friendly and helpful.. The campus as a whole had a great vibe and so much to do."
Genesis Romero
  • Reviewed: 5/5/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"Best school for me. Professors were always there for me when I needed them to be. Always offered extra office hours, some being generous enough to give us their number to call in case of an emergency. I always felt supported. I would also take advantage of the career center. My classmates were also great, I think UCI does a great job at accepted students who are motivated to work and study. My teachers were strict but taught me so much. They were kind and well-versed in their field and area of expertise. I feel well trained in psychology, so much so that I got hired as a therapist to work one on one with kids who have autism spectrum disorders. I love love love my alma mater."
Brittany Ho
  • Reviewed: 3/30/2019
  • Degree: Biology
"I had a great college experience at UCI. The social atmosphere is buzzing. There are lots of clubs to join and the dorm life is very welcoming. The biology program is intensive, but most of the professors are very open to office hours and have very clear teaching styles. The campus is beautiful and Irvine, although expensive, is a nice place to live."
Lisa Jung
  • Reviewed: 9/13/2018
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"UCI was an amazing school; I felt overwhelmed at times but it was because of the high standing that the university had. I had a lot of opportunities to have extracurricular activities outside of classes, and classes were challenging but manageable. It is a research school so I felt like the professors were not the best teachers but better researchers but most did try to help out the students to help understand what they were learning."
Lisa Jung
  • Reviewed: 9/13/2018
  • Degree: Pharmacy
"UCI was an amazing school; I felt overwhelmed at times but it was because of the high standing that the university had. I had a lot of opportunities to have extracurricular activities outside of classes, and classes were challenging but manageable. It is a research school so I felt like the professors were not the best teachers but better researchers but most did try to help out the students to help understand what they were learning."
Marissa
  • Reviewed: 6/4/2018
  • Degree: Performing Arts
"I attended the UCI as a dance major. It has a very good dance department with many class options and it is possible to study both ballet and modern techniques as well as jazz. The dance department has many opportunities to create and perform. My critique would be that the department is quite isolated from the other schools in the art department. The campus is beautiful and safe with surrounding restaurants and hang out areas."
Eliana Kopley
  • Reviewed: 4/12/2018
  • Degree: Public Health
"While UC Irvine is an excellent school with such a reputation, I felt that the school lacked in preparing their students for the future. Many of my friends did not apply to master's programs, simply because the University did not emphasize life after receiving a bachelor's degree. I think that many of the students at UC Irvine could have benefitted in counseling as to where to go after graduating. I am proud to be a UC Irvine graduate, as I know that this school is quite difficult and demanding of their students. I received a top of the line education, however it was very difficult being in such large lecture classes. It is easy to get lost in your place at UC Irvine, as it is easy to feel as a statistic or number, and not as a person. That being said, thousands of students of UC Irvine persevere, and succeed. We are most definitely prepared for a better future, thanks to UC Irvine and the diligent staff."
Kaitlyn Drake
  • Reviewed: 3/29/2018
  • Degree: Business
"The career services center at UCI are very hands on and tailored to each student. Not only do they help connect you with companies in the field you want to be involved in, but they help coach you in your interviewing skills and help to improve your resume."
Alexis Wright
  • Reviewed: 1/8/2018
  • Degree: Psychology
"I had an incredible time at UC Irvine for my undergraduate career. This school is a place for those who don't mind being one of 20,000, or one of up to 300 in a class at times.I personally found no issue with the set up and felt as the faculty really cared and made themselves available to me. I also had access to incredible financial resources and counseling along the way that helped me make informed decisions about funding my tuition. My Psychology program specifically was great as well. I enjoyed the variety of courses given to fulfill requirements, as well as the teaching staff. I learned a lot about myself and others during my time."