UC Davis vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with Clemson University in Clemson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Davis is larger than Clemson based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 29,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Clemson University 16:1.

UC Davis vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($17,270 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 31.6% lower than at University of California Davis ($13,284 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $1,220 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at UC Davis than at Clemson University (about $10,108 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $40,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clemson University than at University of California Davis (75% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 115.9% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($24,591 vs. $11,389).

UC Davis vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or Clemson? 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 Clemson and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 50 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UC Davis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Clemson (3.75).
• UC Davis has a higher acceptance rate (41.8%) than Clemson (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

UC Davis vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Clemson? 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 Clemson University's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $6,824 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($14,676 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($151 vs. $222).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clemson students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.