UC Davis vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

UC Davis vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or UC? 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 UC ($17,270 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 30.2% lower than at University of California Davis ($13,564 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 20% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $2,798 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.9% higher at UC Davis than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $21,664 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at University of California Davis (73% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 200% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($24,591 vs. $8,196).

UC Davis vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 10 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 22.5% at UC.

UC Davis vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $8,324 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($14,676 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($151 vs. $237).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC 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.