UC Davis vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UC Davis vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or USC? 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 USC ($17,270 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 2.5% lower than at University of Southern California ($19,426 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 329.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $55,323 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.4% higher at USC than at University of California Davis (about $21,123 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of California Davis (70% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 90.7% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($46,897 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 220 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming USC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USC (3.83).
• UC Davis has a higher acceptance rate (41.8%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 43.3% at USC.

UC Davis vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Davis's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $7,699 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($14,676 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($151 vs. $231).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

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.