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#14 Best Public Universities in America

UC Davis Admission Requirements

Davis, California

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Your chances of getting into University of California Davis

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

48.8%
Admission Difficulty for University of California Davis
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UC Davis is 48.8%.  Its admission rate is the 24th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UC Davis and can you get accepted?

UC Davis is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 42,475 out of the 87,120 who applied were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 26 percent on standardized admission tests. University of California Davis typically accepts and attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UC Davis?

49% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of California Davis you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 4.0 or better
  • Earn A/A+ grades in high school
  • Score 1280 on the SAT
  • Score 29 on the ACT

UC Davis GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

4.0

Typical High School Grades 

A/A+

What GPA do you need to get into University of California Davis?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UC Davis are to have around a 4.0 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to UC Davis will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UC Davis is 4.0 on the 4.0 scale. 65% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A/A+ letter grades and regularly score around 97-100 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #2 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UC Davis is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of California Davis students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 64.7% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 21.2% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 8.8% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 3.6% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.2% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.4% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.1% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UC Davis SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required or recommended by University of California Davis.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1160-1400

Applicants Submitting SAT 

87%
SAT Scores for University of California Davis
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1160
SAT Scores for University of California Davis
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 730
Composite 75th Percentile 1400
Average SAT Score 1280

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California Davis?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UC Davis is 1280 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1160-1400. Students who get into University of California Davis score in the top 31 percent of all SAT test takers..  UC Davis ranks #24 in the state of California and #175 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1280 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UC Davis regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1160 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1160, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1040, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of California Davis is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "neither required nor recommended".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1280, you have around a 49% chance of being admitted. A 1400 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 65% chance of getting in.

University of California Davis admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1400 and Above Good >65%
1280 to 1400 Avg + 49%-65%
1160 to 1280 Avg - 34%-49%
1040 to 1160 Reach 21%-34%
Less than 1040 Low <21%
Calculate My Chances 

UC Davis ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

44%
ACT Scores for University of California Davis
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for University of California Davis
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 29

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UC Davis?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UC Davis is 29, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 33.  The school ranks #17 in California and #127 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 29. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.

44 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Davis.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California Davis is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "neither required nor recommended".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UC Davis for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 29 score has around 49% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 65% with a 33 ACT score.

University of California Davis admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >65%
29 to 33 Avg + 49%-65%
25 to 29 Avg - 34%-49%
21 to 25 Reach 21%-34%
Less than 21 Low <21%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of California Davis admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 46,417 40,703 87,120
Accepted 24,357 18,118 42,475
Acceptance Rate 52% 45% 49%
Enrolled 4,411 3,071 7,482
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 17% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2023

Days left to Apply

62

Applicants have 62 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Davis is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Davis and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Davis Application Requirements
Test Scores Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Neither required nor recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Neither required nor recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of California Davis
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UC Davis is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 4.0 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1280 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1400 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 29 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of California Davis often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110644 IPEDS survey data for University of California Davis.

FAQs

Does University of California Davis prefer SAT or ACT?

87% of students submit their SAT scores to UC Davis. 44% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into University of California Davis?

49% of those who apply are granted admission to UC Davis. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of California Davis?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1160 and 1400. The average SAT score is 1280. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of California Davis?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 25 and 33. The average ACT score is 29. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.