UC Davis vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Davis vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or OSU? 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 OSU ($17,270 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 15.6% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,386 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than OSU (about $2,374 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $14,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at UC Davis than at Oregon State University (about $12,784 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of California Davis (90% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 119% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($24,591 vs. $11,230).

UC Davis vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 10 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 20.4% at OSU.

UC Davis vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $8,824 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($14,676 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($151 vs. $242).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 66%)

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.