UC Davis vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with University of Washington Seattle Campus in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (56,997 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 Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

UC Davis vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus than UC Davis ($11,784 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 5.3% lower than at University of California Davis ($18,405 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $3,801 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at UC Davis than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $7,765 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (60% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 52.2% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($24,591 vs. $16,156).

UC Davis vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 50 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 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 Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UW-Seattle (3.82).
• UC Davis has a higher acceptance rate (41.8%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

UC Davis vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $600 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $324 lower median loan debt than UW-Seattle graduates ($14,676 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Seattle graduates ($151 vs. $155).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Seattle students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.