ASU vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with University of California Davis in Davis, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); University of California Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

ASU vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UC Davis? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Davis than ASU ($17,270 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arizona State University are 14% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,712 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $4,551 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $12,223.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.8% higher at UC Davis than at Arizona State University (about $17,835 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $33,139.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at University of California Davis (89% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 102% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($24,591 vs. $12,172).

ASU vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or UC Davis? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Davis and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 70 points higher than at ASU (1210).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; University of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at ASU (3.54).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

ASU vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UC Davis? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Arizona State University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $5,602 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($14,676 vs. $20,278).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($151 vs. $209).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.