UC Davis vs. Soka University of America

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Davis is larger than Soka University of America based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 495 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Soka University of America is in Aliso Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Soka University of America 7:1.

UC Davis vs. Soka University of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Soka University of America? 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 Soka University of America than UC Davis ($15,691 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Soka University of America are 26% lower than at University of California Davis ($14,378 vs. $19,426).
• Soka University of America is 130.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $21,954 more per year; $38,728.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at UC Davis than at Soka University of America (about $12,246 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $38,728.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Soka University of America than at University of California Davis (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Soka University of America students is 60.1% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($39,373 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. Soka University of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or Soka University of America? 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 Soka University of America and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Soka University of America (1420) is 140 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Soka University of America 1333/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Soka University of America - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Soka University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Soka University of America (3.7).
• Soka University of America has a higher acceptance rate (43.4%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 45.8% at Soka University of America.

UC Davis vs. Soka University of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Soka University of America? 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).

• Soka University of America's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of California Davis's (82%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $7,612 lower median loan debt than Soka University of America graduates ($14,676 vs. $22,288).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Soka University of America graduates ($151 vs. $230).
• More Soka University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Davis students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.