UC Davis vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

UC Davis vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or CU Boulder? 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 CU Boulder ($17,270 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Boulder are 4.9% lower than at University of California Davis ($18,468 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $1,108 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at UC Davis than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $6,056 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at University of Colorado Boulder (60% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 119.1% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($24,591 vs. $11,225).

UC Davis vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 60 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at UC Davis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

UC Davis vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and CU Boulder? 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 Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $4,824 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($14,676 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($151 vs. $201).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder 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.