UC Davis vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Davis is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Pacific Union College is in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Pacific Union College 12:1.

UC Davis vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or PUC? 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 PUC ($17,270 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 49.5% lower than at University of California Davis ($9,816 vs. $19,426).
• Pacific Union College is 121.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $20,399 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at UC Davis than at Pacific Union College (about $13,801 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at University of California Davis (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 8.3% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($26,629 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. PUC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 220 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at PUC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at PUC (3.24).
• PUC has a higher acceptance rate (47.3%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 14% at PUC.

UC Davis vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and PUC? 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than PUC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $15,324 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($14,676 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $159 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($151 vs. $310).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 57%)

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.