UC Davis vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 23,024 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); University of Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

UC Davis vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno than UC Davis ($17,226 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 25.4% lower than at University of California Davis ($14,496 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 75.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $7,196 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.9% higher at UC Davis than at University of Nevada Reno (about $23,254 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at University of California Davis (93% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 233.4% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($24,591 vs. $7,375).

UC Davis vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 100 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• University of Nevada-Reno has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

UC Davis vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than University of Nevada-Reno graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $4,125 lower median loan debt than University of Nevada-Reno graduates ($14,676 vs. $18,801).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Nevada-Reno graduates ($151 vs. $194).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 64%)

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.