University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); University of California Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham ($17,270 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 27.1% lower than at University of California Davis ($14,170 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 84.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $7,676 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.9% higher at UC Davis than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $28,412 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of California Davis (90% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 123% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($24,591 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 50 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (3.82).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $6,824 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($14,676 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($151 vs. $222).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 52%)

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.