UC Davis vs. Texas A&M

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with Texas A&M University College Station in College Station, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (78,321 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Texas A&M University College Station is in College Station, TX (Small City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Texas A&M University College Station 20:1.

UC Davis vs. Texas A&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M ($17,270 vs. $21,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas A&M University College Station are 33% lower than at University of California Davis ($13,008 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 27.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas A&M (about $3,620 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $13,154.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27% higher at UC Davis than at Texas A&M University College Station (about $10,850 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $40,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at Texas A&M University College Station (60% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 95.5% larger than aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students ($24,591 vs. $12,580).

UC Davis vs. Texas A&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is the same as at Texas A&M (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Texas A&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Texas A&M University College Station 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Texas A&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Texas A&M (3.68).
• Texas A&M has a higher acceptance rate (57.4%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 39.9% at Texas A&M.

UC Davis vs. Texas A&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M University College Station's (81%).
• Graduates from Texas A&M University College Station earn a median of about $400 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $4,074 lower median loan debt than Texas A&M graduates ($14,676 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas A&M graduates ($151 vs. $193).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas A&M students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

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.