UC Davis vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than Metropolitan State University of Denver based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 18,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

UC Davis vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than UC Davis ($14,584 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 13.6% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,785 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 50.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $5,650 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at UC Davis than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $20,290 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $30,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of California Davis (65% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 150.6% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($24,591 vs. $9,813).

UC Davis vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 270 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.97 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

UC Davis vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $9,574 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($14,676 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($151 vs. $250).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 47%)

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.