University of California-Davis: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Davis, California · Public · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
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University of California-Davis is a public university in Davis, California that admits about 44% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $14,741 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Research and Experimental Psychology, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods and Economics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 86% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 17.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of California-Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of California-Davis admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 44%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,741 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of California-Davis right now
UC Davis, established in 1905 as a UC agricultural branch and elevated to a full general campus in 1959, now enrolls about 31,797 undergraduates and offers 102 undergraduate majors across four colleges. It is widely viewed as a Public Ivy and was ranked tied for 6th best public university in the country by U.S. News. The biggest parent-relevant news is the fall 2025 admissions cycle: UC Davis received a record 120,131 applications, including 102,958 first-year applications (up 4.2 percent year over year), and offered admission to 55,739 students, of whom a record 45,963 were first-year applicants, a 10.4 percent increase. The campus also enrolled its highest-ever number of Latinx and African American new undergraduates. Academic standout programs include veterinary medicine, ranked first in the nation, plant and animal science, also ranked first, agricultural economics, entomology, and ecology, and the campus is home to the only airport on a UC campus and the largest zero net energy community in the United States at West Village. The university operates on a $7.1 billion budget with a $770 million endowment as of 2024 and is test-blind in admissions like all UCs, with admitted students averaging a 4.04 GPA. The UC application is due December 1, and Davis remains a strong fit for families prioritizing STEM and sustainability programs.
What GPA does my child need for University of California-Davis?
66% of enrolled students at University of California-Davis had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.03, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does University of California-Davis weight in admissions?
University of California-Davis reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores University of California-Davis typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: University of California-Davis does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
How much does University of California-Davis actually cost?
Published tuition is $16,774 for in-state students and $50,974 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,426 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,741 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 31% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $14,202 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $53,472 |
| Room and board | $22,125 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $14,741 |
| Application fee | $80 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of California-Davis
| Regular deadline | 11/30 |
| Notification date | 3/31 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of California-Davis?
These predict outcomes at University of California-Davis better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of California-Davis
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of California-Davis, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Research and Experimental Psychology, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods and Economics. Across all programs, University of California-Davis confers roughly 4,136 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Research and Experimental Psychology program report a median income of about $62,401 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 924 | $62,401 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 596 | — |
| Economics | 559 | $86,559 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 519 | $67,848 |
| Biology, General | 418 | $66,924 |
| Computer Science | 402 | — |
| Animal Sciences | 368 | $54,122 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 350 | — |
Is University of California-Davis safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of California-Davis disclosed 548 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 17.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 19 violent offenses and 121 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of California-Davis?
About 35% of undergraduates at University of California-Davis live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- University of California-Irvine29% acceptance
- University of California-San Diego27% acceptance
- University of California-Santa Barbara33% acceptance
- University of California-Santa Cruz66% acceptance
- University of California-Riverside76% acceptance
- University of California-Merced91% acceptance
- California Institute of Technology3% acceptance
- San Diego State University36% acceptance
Next steps for University of California-Davis
Common questions parents ask about University of California-Davis
What GPA do I need for University of California-Davis?
66% of enrolled students at University of California-Davis had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.03, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of California-Davis typically admit?
University of California-Davis is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does University of California-Davis actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of California-Davis after grants and scholarships is $14,741 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $16,774 and $50,974 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of California-Davis realistic for my child?
University of California-Davis admits 44% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $14,741 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Davis?
University of California-Davis accepts about 44% of applicants out of roughly 102,988 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is University of California-Davis test-optional?
University of California-Davis is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Davis?
About 86% of students at University of California-Davis graduate within six years, and 70% finish in four years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of California-Davis look for in applicants?
University of California-Davis rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of California-Davis a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of California-Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California.
What are the most popular majors at University of California-Davis?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of California-Davis by annual graduates are Research and Experimental Psychology, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods and Economics. The school awards about 4,136 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of California-Davis safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of California-Davis reported 548 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 17.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of California-Davis?
At University of California-Davis, 35% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of California-Davis, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers