UC Davis vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Florida State University 17:1.

UC Davis vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Florida State? 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 Florida State University than UC Davis ($15,815 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 30.6% lower than at University of California Davis ($13,474 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 196.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $11,118 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.3% higher at UC Davis than at Florida State University (about $32,188 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of California Davis (91% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 165% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($24,591 vs. $9,279).

UC Davis vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 60 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UC Davis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• UC Davis has a higher acceptance rate (41.8%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

UC Davis vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Florida State? 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 Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $6,074 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($14,676 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($151 vs. $214).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

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.