There are certain schools out there that we at Ivy Coach like to think of as old reliables: schools that offer a quality education without requiring a cutthroat admissions process. A shining example of this type of college is UC Irvine. This public research university, tied as the 9th best public institution in the United States and the 33rd best National University by US News & World Report, has a reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research. However, its acceptance rate is still above 20%, unlike most other schools with the same resources and opportunities. 

For students who want to take part in the University of California system — widely regarded as the best public university system in the world — but are unsure that they’ll be able to make it into the pearly gates of UCLA or Berkeley (the most selective of the UCs), UC Irvine is a great alternative that won’t cause the same level of admissions stress. Take it from us: we’ve been helping academically ambitious students earn admission to UC Irvine for over a quarter of a century, even as its acceptance rate has declined. But just how much has it declined? Read on to find out!

UC Irvine Acceptance Rate Over the Last Decade

UC Irvine Class Year	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029	Not Yet Released
Class of 2028	25.57%
Class of 2027	21.15%
Class of 2026	29.00%
Class of 2025	29.92%
Class of 2024	26.54%
Class of 2023	28.76%
Class of 2022	36.51%
Class of 2021	40.65%
Class of 2020	38.68%
Class of 2019	37.42%
Class of 2018	42.39%

The UC Irvine acceptance rate between the Class of 2018 and the Class of 2028 is clearly trending towards higher selectivity. However, compared with other schools of its caliber, such as Boston College or Tufts University, UC Irvine’s acceptance rate, which currently stands at 25.57% for the most recent admissions cycle, is far higher than one would expect. Will the acceptance rate continue to dwindle? The famously accurate Ivy Coach crystal ball predicts as much — but not at the rate of other comparable schools.

For the record, no school in the UC system accepts standardized tests from its applicants. At other schools, pandemic-related decisions to go test-optional shrunk down acceptance rates by flooding applicant pools with “squeakers,” Ivy Coach’s term for under-qualified students who try to “squeak” into schools out of their academic league by applying without test scores. But not at UC Irvine.

UC Irvine eliminated its testing requirements in 2020, but, as the data indicates, this didn’t significantly affect the acceptance rate. If anything, the Classes of 2025 and 2026 experienced a higher proportion of students able to get in. However, the Class of 2027 boomeranged to the other side of the spectrum, with a record-low acceptance rate of 21.15%. When the data eventually arrives for the Class of 2029, the acceptance rate will likely remain in the moderately competitive range at UC Irvine, but only time will tell. 

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with UC Irvine Acceptance

UC Irvine is not just another university, it’s a hub for studying machine learning, data analytics, and health sciences. It’s a fantastic choice for any student intent on changing the world with their STEM-related singular hook. What’s your singular hook? We’re glad you asked! Your singular hook is the specific, weird, and highly original way you frame your application around a particular pursuit, cause, or passion that drives everything you do. It’s the common thread that weaves through every aspect of your application. Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers will help your child steer clear of a misguided well-rounded approach in favor of a singular hook that UC Irvine admissions officers won’t be able to resist!

If you want to leave it to Ivy Coach to optimize your child’s odds of admission to UC Irvine, all you must do is fill out our complimentary consultation form. We’ll then be in touch with an outline of our services.