University of California, Irvine (UCI)
Updated 31 August 2026
| Campus Location | Irvine, California |
| University Type | Public R1 Research University |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,000 USD / year (~₹27.4 Lakhs) |
| In-State Rate (With TA/RA) | $0 (100% Waived with TA/GSR Appointment) |
| Monthly Living Expenses | $1,400 - $1,800 / month |
| Off-Campus Housing Difficulty | 8.5 / 10 (Irvine Master-Planned Housing) |
| Target Admission Cutoff | 8.2+ Indian CGPA (3.5+ US WES GPA) |
Executive Summary: Why Indian Families Choose University of California, Irvine (UCI)
University of California, Irvine (UCI) located in Irvine, California is a premier choice for Indian international students seeking STEM Master's degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering.
University of California, Irvine (UCI) Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences is the only independent computer science school in the UC system. Located in ultra-safe Irvine, California, UCI offers top software engineering and gaming degrees.
Key Pillars for Parents and Students:
- Tech Hub & Recruiter Access: Located near Orange County Tech Hub (Blizzard Entertainment, Broadcom, Amazon Irvine, Western Digital), offering direct career fair access to top US corporate recruiters.
- Graduate Assistantship (TA/RA) Savings: Graduate Student Assistantships (TA/GSR) cover 100% of tuition and fees, providing a monthly stipend of ~$2,100/month.
- Off-Campus Student Housing: Irvine is consistently ranked the safest city in America. Off-campus student housing in UTC and Verano Place averages $800 to $1,150/month per person in shared units.
2-Year Financial Outlay Breakdown:
| Expense Category | Annual Amount (USD) | When Do You Pay This? | Deep-Dive Playbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,000 USD / year | Semester-wise (Aug & Jan) | Total Cost Breakdown |
| In-State Tuition (With TA/RA) | $0 (100% Waived with TA/GSR Appointment) | Semester-wise (Aug & Jan) | Assistantships Ta Ra Ga |
| Off-Campus Housing Rent | $1,400 - $1,800 / month | Monthly to Landlord | Off Campus Housing Lease |
| Health Insurance (ISO Waiver) | ~$800 / year | Annual (Waiver Approved) | Health Insurance Waiver Guide |
Admission Requirements & Application Checklist
To apply for graduate programs at University of California, Irvine (UCI), Indian applicants must submit:
- WES Credential Evaluation: Course-by-course transcript conversion to 4.0 US scale (WES Credential Evaluation Manual).
- GRE / GMAT Test Requirement: GRE Waived for Donald Bren School of ICS for Fall 2026 (GRE GMAT Waiver Directory).
- English Language Proficiency: TOEFL iBT 80+ / IELTS 7.0 Band (Speaking 26+ for TA) (TOEFL IELTS Duolingo Cutoffs).
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): Academic SOP referencing faculty research labs (Sop Lor Resume US Standards).
- Priority Application Deadline: December 15 (Fall Intake) (Priority vs Rolling Deadlines).
Top STEM Master's Programs for International Students
- MS in Computer Science (MS CS) — Donald Bren School of ICS; STEM
- Master of Computer Science (MCS) — Professional Coursework Degree
- MS in Software Engineering (MSSE) — High Recruiter Demand
- MS in Data Science —
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between MS CS and MCS at UCI?
MS CS is research-focused with thesis options; MCS is an intensive, professional coursework-only degree designed for industry software employment.
Is Irvine safe?
Yes, Irvine has been named America's safest city for 18 consecutive years by the FBI.
Are GRE scores required for UCI Donald Bren ICS?
GRE is currently waived for computer science graduate programs at UCI.
Does UCI offer TA tuition waivers?
Yes, TA/GSR appointments cover 100% of tuition and fees plus a monthly stipend.