University of California-Davis
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want a major research university experience. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $68,100 within 10 years; strong 86% graduation rate.
About This School
University of California-Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California with approximately 32,253 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 42% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $14,741 per year. The graduation rate is 86%, and the typical graduate earns $68,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of California, Davis is a public land-grant research university in the Davis, California area, United States. It is the northernmost of the ten campuses of the University of California system. The institution was first founded as an agricultural branch of the system in 1905 and became the sixth campus of the University of California in 1959.
This is a strong option for students who want a reputable UC education at a genuinely affordable price — the average net cost of $15,288/year and a median debt of just $11,000 at graduation are unusually low for a research university of this caliber. The 85% graduation rate and 93% freshman retention signal that most students who enroll actually finish, and median earnings of $68,100 a decade out reflect solid long-term value. The 42% acceptance rate makes it accessible without feeling like a fallback, though the large undergraduate enrollment of nearly 32,000 means you'll need to be proactive about connecting with professors and resources.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2023-24). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (32,253 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Source: University of California-Davis Common Data Set (2023-24).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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