Key differences on Students & campus

1
U. California-Irvine has 4 pts more first-gen students than U. California-San Diego (44% vs. 40%)
First-generation students
2
U. California-San Diego is a bit larger (34,948 vs. 30,197)
Undergrads
3
U. California-Irvine has 2 pts more Pell recipients than U. California-San Diego (36% vs. 34%)
Pell Grant recipients

Students

Students & campus

Who's on each campus, how many get Pell Grants or are the first in their family, and campus life.

Who's on campus

Undergrads

U. California-San Diego34.9KLargest

U. California-Irvine30.2K

Pell Grant share

U. California-San Diego34%

U. California-Irvine36%Highest

First-gen share

U. California-San Diego40%

U. California-Irvine44%Highest

Diversity index

U. California-San Diego0.76Most

U. California-Irvine0.75

Who they are

Men

U. California-San Diego45%

U. California-Irvine44%

Part-time students

U. California-San Diego2%

U. California-Irvine2%

Students 25 and older

U. California-San Diego4%

U. California-Irvine3%

Race & ethnicity

U. California-San Diego

U. California-Irvine

White
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Black
Two or more
International
Other/unknown

Where they're from

First-years from in state

U. California-San Diego78%

U. California-Irvine74%

First-years from other states

U. California-San Diego9%

U. California-Irvine7%

First-years from abroad

U. California-San Diego13%

U. California-Irvine19%

New transfer students this fall

U. California-San Diego3,751

U. California-Irvine2,728

Transfers, share of new undergraduates

U. California-San Diego34%

U. California-Irvine29%

Campus

U. California-San Diego

Large cityNCAA D-I · Big West ConferenceStudy abroadUndergrad research

U. California-Irvine

Large cityNCAA D-I · Big West ConferenceROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

LGBTQ+ policies

Each item is dated: either the college's own page, checked on that date, or a national list's claim, read on that date — never a plain “yes” or “no.” A key missing for a college isn't shown as “no”: nothing was found for it.

Policy	U. California-San Diego	U. California-Irvine
Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression	Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive housing	Gender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Gender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Chosen name and pronouns on campus records	Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online	Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Student health plan covers transition-related care	Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)

All student numbers in the table

Sources:College Scorecard, Fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Fall 2023;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level), Fall 2024;IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD), 2025–26;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)

Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why