UC Davis vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UC Davis vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or San Jose 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 San Jose State University than UC Davis ($13,892 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 7.4% lower than at San Jose State University ($19,426 vs. $20,971).
• University of California Davis is 99.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $8,364 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.6% higher at UC Davis than at San Jose State University (about $29,964 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California Davis (63% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 99.1% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($24,591 vs. $12,353).

UC Davis vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or San Jose 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 San Jose State and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 150 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UC Davis vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and San Jose 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $324 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($14,676 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($151 vs. $155).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.