Alabama vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of California Davis in Davis, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of California Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

Alabama vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or UC Davis? 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 Alabama ($17,270 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 22.7% lower than at University of California Davis ($15,016 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 37.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $4,594 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.2% higher at UC Davis than at The University of Alabama (about $16,802 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at University of California Davis (80% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 40.5% larger than aid received by The University of Alabama students ($24,591 vs. $17,503).

Alabama vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 10 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Alabama (3.76).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

Alabama vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and UC Davis? 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $9,074 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($14,676 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($151 vs. $245).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 59%)

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.