UC Davis vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Davis is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Davis 22:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UC Davis vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($17,270 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 12.7% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,960 vs. $19,426).
• Westmont College is 219.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $36,810 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Davis (about $2,610 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Davis (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 58.4% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($38,956 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 70 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UC Davis vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $10,447 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($14,676 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($151 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Davis students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.