University of California Davis campus

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UC Davis Admission Requirements

  • 9/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Davis, CA
  • 5.0 1 review
#12 Best Public Universities in America
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UC Davis Admission Overview

UC Davis admission requirements are competitive. Last year UC Davis admitted 41.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (A/A+). UC Davis is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Davis Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

41.8%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of California Davis

Acceptance Rate

The UC Davis acceptance rate is 41.8%. Last year, 41,353 of 98,864 applicants were admitted. That is the 24th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 176th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UC Davis and can you get accepted?

UC Davis is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of California Davis typically attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Davis GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

4.0

Typical High School Grades

A/A+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 4.0

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UC Davis typically have around a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. UC Davis is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

65% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #2 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of California Davis freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 64.7% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 21.2% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 8.8% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 3.6% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.2% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.4% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.1% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UC Davis Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

UC Davis does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 cycle. You may report SAT or ACT scores only after you submit the UC application. Those scores may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UC Davis SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1160-1400

Freshmen who sent SAT

87%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 570
  • Math 590
  • Composite 1160
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of California Davis

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 670
  • Math 730
  • Composite 1400
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of California Davis

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UC Davis typically score around a 1280 SAT (middle 50% 1160–1400) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 86th percentile nationally. UC Davis ranks #26 in the state of California and #228 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1160 to 1400

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Davis ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

44%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 23
  • Math 23
  • Composite 25
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of California Davis

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 32
  • Math 29
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of California Davis

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UC Davis typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 25–33) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UC Davis places #19 among colleges in California and #164 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the UC Davis chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of California Davis admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 52,516 43,348 98,864
Accepted 24,136 17,217 41,353
Acceptance Rate 46% 40% 42%
Enrolled 3,996 2,771 6,767
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 16% 16%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Davis and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Davis application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2026

Days left to Apply

91

Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Davis is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of California Davis
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UC Davis is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 41.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (about an A/A+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of California Davis often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110644.

GPA calculator: University of California Davis GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026