UC Davis Admissions

SAT Scores, Acceptance Rate, Financial Aid & More

UC Davis Performing Arts Center
UC Davis Performing Arts Center. TEDxUCDavis / Flickr
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated December 12, 2018

University of California - Davis Admissions Overview

UC Davis is a selective school, with an acceptance rate of 43 percent in 2017. Successful applicants will need good grades and solid test scores to be admitted to the school. To apply, students will need to submit an application, high school transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores. Applicants should also be sure to put time and care into their four personal insight essays. For complete information, be sure to check out UC Davis' website, or contact the admissions office.

Will You Get In?

Calculate Your Chances of Getting In with this free tool from Cappex

Admissions Data (2017)

UC Davis Description

UC Davis, the University of California at Davis, is frequently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the United States. The school's excellent in research and teaching has earned it membership in the Association of American Universities. The school's 5,300-acre campus, located west of Sacramento, is the largest in the UC system. UC Davis offers over 100 undergraduate majors, and the university's strengths are diverse -- arts, humanities, biological sciences, and engineering. The UC Davis Aggies compete mostly in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference.

Enrollment (2017)

  • Total Enrollment: 37,380 (30,066 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 41 percent male / 59 percent female
  • 97 percent full-time

Costs (2017 - 18)

  • Tuition and Fees: $14,419 (in-state); $42,433 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $1,253
  • Room and Board: $16,136
  • Other Expenses: $3,921
  • Total Cost: $35,729 (in-state); $63,743 (out-of-state)

UC Davis Financial Aid (2016 - 17)

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 70 percent
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 63 percent
    • Loans: 39 percent
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $18,690
    • Loans: $4,971

Academic Programs

  • Most Popular Majors: Agricultural Business and Management, Biology, Communication Study, Economics, English, History, Human Relations, International Relations, Molecular Biochemistry, Neurobiology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
  • What major is right for you? Sign up to take the free "My Careers and Majors Quiz" at Cappex.

Graduation and Retention Rates

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 93 percent
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 58 percent
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 85 percent

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

  • Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo
  • Women's Sports: Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Volleyball, Water Polo

Admissions Profiles for Other UC Campuses

More Information on the University of California System

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Data Source: National Center for Education Statistics