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Book a private University of California, Irvine tour

Explore the University of California, Irvine on a student-led tour tailored to your interests. Choose your guide and get the inside scoop on campus life.

University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Irvine

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A new way to tour UC Irvine

A new way to tour UC Irvine

A typical UC Irvine tour can feel impersonal, leaving you with more questions than answers. You’re just a face in the crowd following a scripted tour led by a guide the school assigns you.

SchoolScoops offers private University of California, Irvine tours tailored to your interests. Choose your own UC Irvine student tour guide and enjoy a personalized campus visit where you'll get candid answers to your questions.

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SchoolScoops is the more personal way to tour UC Irvine

Private and personalized UC Irvine tours

Private and personalized UC Irvine tours

On a traditional UC Irvine campus tour you’re just a number in a big group. With SchoolScoops, you can book a private University of California, Irvine tour led by a real UC Irvine student, giving you a personalized campus visit and the chance to ask all the questions that are important to you.

Choose your own tour guide

Choose your own tour guide

Unlike a traditional UC Irvine campus tour, SchoolScoops lets you choose your own tour guide. Whether you want to meet an engineering major, a student-athlete or a fellow transfer student, you'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.

No scripts, just scoops

No scripts, just scoops

Traditional UC Irvine campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the tour guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don’t work for their school, so there’s no sales pitch—just honest, unfiltered advice about the UC Irvine experience.

Find out if UC Irvine is the school for you

Find out if UC Irvine is the school for you

Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. A private UC Irvine tour helps you decide if University of California, Irvine is the right fit for your academic goals, career ambitions and college experience.

Can't make it to campus?

Book a 1-on-1 video chat with a UC Irvine student for personalized insights. Learn about academics, campus culture, and Irvine life without leaving home.

Book a video chat
Book a video chat
Get to know UC Irvine

Get to know UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is a leading public research institution known for excellence in engineering, business, computer science, health sciences, and the social sciences, grounded in a strong commitment to innovation, research, and community impact.

UC Irvine Overview

Overview

The University of California, Irvine, founded in 1965, is a public research university located in Irvine, California. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across its schools and colleges. A UC Irvine campus tour highlights the university’s modern campus design, strong research focus, and vibrant student community in the heart of Orange County.

UC Irvine Size

Size

The University of California, Irvine has a total enrollment of approximately 36,000 students, including around 30,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate and professional students. A private UC Irvine tour gives you the opportunity to experience the size, layout, and energy of campus firsthand while getting insight from a current student.

UC Irvine Acceptance rate

Acceptance rate

The University of California, Irvine has an acceptance rate of around 21%, making it one of the more selective campuses in the UC system. As part of the University of California system, UC Irvine is test-free and does not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. A UC Irvine campus tour helps applicants better understand the academic rigor, campus culture, and what it takes to stand out from the perspective of current students.

UC Irvine Cost

Cost

For the 2024–2025 academic year, UC Irvine undergraduate tuition is approximately $15,000 per year for California residents. Nonresident students pay approximately $45,000 per year, including nonresident supplemental tuition. Graduate tuition varies by program. A significant portion of students receive financial aid through grants, scholarships, and need-based assistance to help offset the total cost of attendance.

UC Irvine Ranking

Ranking

According to U.S. News & World Report, UC Irvine is ranked #33 among National Universities. Rankings are based on widely recognized measures of academic quality, including graduation rates, faculty resources, research activity, and student outcomes. Booking a UC Irvine tour lets you experience firsthand why the university is nationally recognized.

UC Irvine Academics

Academics

UC Irvine offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and 100+ graduate and professional degree programs across its schools and academic units. It maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 18:1, supporting meaningful interaction between students and professors. On a UC Irvine campus tour, students can see how rigorous academics, research opportunities, and campus involvement come together in a dynamic Southern California setting.

UC Irvine Traditions

Traditions

UC Irvine’s most cherished traditions include the Anteater mascot spirit (celebrating Peter the Anteater), the annual Shocktoberfest homecoming celebration, the Aldrich Park festivities that bring the campus together, and energetic student support at athletic events in the Bren Events Center. Experiencing these during a UC Irvine tour highlights the pride, innovation, and strong sense of community that define life as an Anteater.

UC Irvine Campus Landmarks

Campus landmarks

UC Irvine’s most iconic landmarks include the circular Aldrich Park at the heart of campus, the modern Langson Library, the Bren Events Center, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts complex, the Beall Center for Art + Technology, and the UCI Medical Center. Together, these spaces reflect UC Irvine’s innovative design, research excellence, and vibrant campus life in the heart of Orange County.

UC Irvine Student Body

Student body

UC Irvine draws a majority of its students from across California, reflecting the state’s broad geographic and cultural diversity. The university also enrolls students from across the United States and more than 100 countries worldwide, creating a globally connected campus community. A private UC Irvine tour offers perspective on how this diverse mix of backgrounds shapes the academic experience, student organizations, and campus culture.

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Become a SchoolScoops guide

In college? Earn $40/hour hosting 1-on-1 UC Irvine campus tours and video chats with prospective students. Share your UC Irvine story and help future students find their path.

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Your UC Irvine questions, answered

Where is UC Irvine located?

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The University of California, Irvine is located in Irvine, California, in the heart of Orange County. It’s about 45 miles south of Los Angeles and just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. A UC Irvine campus tour lets you experience its modern campus and Southern California setting.

How many students attend UC Irvine?

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UC Irvine enrolls approximately 36,000 students, including about 30,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate and professional students.

When was UC Irvine founded?

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UC Irvine was founded in 1965 as one of the newer campuses in the University of California system.

What conference is UC Irvine in?

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UC Irvine competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big West Conference.

Does UC Irvine require an essay?

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Yes. As part of the University of California application, students must complete Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), which serve as the university’s required written component.

How much is tuition at UC Irvine?

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For 2024–2025, undergraduate tuition is approximately $15,000 per year for California residents. Nonresident students pay approximately $45,000 per year, including nonresident supplemental tuition. Graduate tuition varies by program.

How hard is it to get into UC Irvine?

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UC Irvine is selective, with an acceptance rate of around 21%. Strong academic performance, course rigor, and meaningful extracurricular involvement improve admission chances.

What GPA is required for UC Irvine?

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UC minimum eligibility for California residents begins at a 3.0 GPA, but admitted students typically present significantly higher GPAs, often well above 4.0 (weighted).

Does UC Irvine have a nursing program?

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Yes. UC Irvine offers nursing through its Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, including undergraduate and graduate-level programs.

Is UC Irvine public or private?

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UC Irvine is a public research university and part of the University of California system.

How big is UC Irvine?

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The UC Irvine campus spans over 1,500 acres, centered around Aldrich Park, with extensive academic, research, housing, and recreational facilities.

How can I book a tour of UC Irvine?

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You can schedule an official admissions tour through the UC Irvine Visitor Center — or book a private, student-led UC Irvine tour through SchoolScoops for a more personalized experience.

Does UC Irvine offer private campus tours?

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Yes. SchoolScoops allows you to book private UC Irvine tours with a current student guide of your choice, creating a more authentic and tailored visit experience.

Interested in other schools?

SchoolScoops also offers tours and video chats at many other schools

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