UC Davis vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UC Davis vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($17,270 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 8.3% lower than at University of California Davis ($17,814 vs. $19,426).
• Chapman University is 287.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $48,210 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.5% higher at Chapman than at University of California Davis (about $14,010 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California Davis (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 44.1% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($35,434 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 70 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Chapman (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UC Davis vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Chapman? 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 Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $6,262 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($14,676 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($151 vs. $216).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 65%)

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.