U of A vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of California Davis in Davis, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of California Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona 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 Arizona 20:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

U of A vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($17,270 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 13.8% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,746 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $2,848 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at UC Davis than at University of Arizona (about $8,696 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of California Davis (95% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 78.5% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($24,591 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 10 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

U of A vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $4,324 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($14,676 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($151 vs. $196).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 66%)

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.