University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Small suburb
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 41.8%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 94,637
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 39,400
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 6,578
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 17%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 46%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 36%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- —
- SAT math, middle 50%
- —
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- —
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- — / —
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- not considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- not considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- not considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $41,238
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $16,774
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $50,974
- Median debt at graduation
- $13,000
- Students with federal loans
- 20%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 86%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 93%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $41,123
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $80,838
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 32,253
- Graduate students
- 7,792
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 22 : 1
- Women
- 59%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 31%
- Full-time faculty
- 88%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Chancellor
- Gary S. May
- Main phone
- (530) 752-1011
- Address
- One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8678
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Decision | November 30 | mid-March |
- Apply with
- Own application
- Application fee
- $80 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Not considered
- Essays
- 4 Personal Insight Questions chosen from 8 (350 words max each)
Testing: SAT/ACT not considered for admission or scholarships; scores may be used for eligibility or placement
Financial aid policies
- Most California families earning up to $100,000 receive grants covering full UC tuition
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 17,582 / 9,747 / 3,758
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: ucdavis.edu, ucdavis.edu, ucdavis.edu, ucdavis.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.