Your chances of getting into University of California Davis
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at UC Davis is 41.6%. Its admission rate is the 27th lowest in California and the 188th lowest the nation.
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, 39,400 out of the 94,637 who applied were admitted.
University of California Davis typically accepts and attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into UC Davis?
42% 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
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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
UC Davis SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of California Davis. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 570 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 590 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1160 |
| 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 #222 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 "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 42% chance of being admitted. A 1400 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 58% chance of getting in.
UC Davis ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 23 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 23 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 25 |
| 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 #19 in California and #155 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 "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 42% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 58% with a 33 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 50,140 | 44,497 | 94,637 |
| Accepted | 23,216 | 16,184 | 39,400 |
| Acceptance Rate | 46% | 36% | 42% |
| Enrolled | 3,954 | 2,624 | 6,578 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 17% | 16% | 17% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Davis is $80.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of California Davis and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
| Recommendations | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| 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.
Last updated February 24, 2025