UC Davis vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Davis vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or UCSC? 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 UCSC ($17,270 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 2.6% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($19,426 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Davis is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $769 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at UC Davis than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $769 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at University of California Santa Cruz (60% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 8% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($24,591 vs. $22,774).

UC Davis vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 20 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UC Davis students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at UCSC (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

UC Davis vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and UCSC? 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 University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $5,283 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($14,676 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($151 vs. $206).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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.