UC Davis vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Champaign, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UC Davis vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Illinois? 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign than UC Davis ($13,973 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 25.2% lower than at University of California Davis ($14,522 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $770 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at UC Davis than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $15,850 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (60% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 27.4% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($24,591 vs. $19,299).

UC Davis vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 140 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UC Davis vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Illinois? 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).

• The graduation rate at UC Davis is the same as at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $5,824 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($14,676 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($151 vs. $211).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.