UC Davis vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

UC Davis vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or USF? 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 USF ($17,270 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 1.7% lower than at University of San Francisco ($19,426 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 260.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $43,718 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at USF than at University of California Davis (about $9,518 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Davis (95% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 41.2% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($34,723 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 10 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 6% at USF.

UC Davis vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and USF? 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 San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $10,324 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($14,676 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($151 vs. $258).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF 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.