UAA vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alaska Anchorage in Anchorage, AK 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 UAA based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 10,493 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alaska Anchorage is located in Anchorage, AK (Large City setting); University of California Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Alaska Anchorage 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 Alaska Anchorage 11:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

UAA vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAA 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 Alaska Anchorage than UC Davis ($16,039 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alaska Anchorage are 26.8% lower than at University of California Davis ($14,216 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 116.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAA (about $9,036 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $7,738.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.1% higher at UC Davis than at University of Alaska Anchorage (about $29,652 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $21,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alaska Anchorage than at University of California Davis (75% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 240.5% larger than aid received by University of Alaska Anchorage students ($24,591 vs. $7,221).

UAA vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAA or UC Davis? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Davis and UAA.

• University of Alaska Anchorage reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAA - Open admission; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UAA Aug 15, 2027; UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UC Davis students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UAA (3.39).

UAA vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAA and UC Davis? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Alaska Anchorage's (25%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than UAA graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $4,028 lower median loan debt than UAA graduates ($14,676 vs. $18,704).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAA graduates ($151 vs. $193).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAA students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 55%)

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.