University of California-Davis vs University of California-San Diego
University of California-Davis is a public university in Davis, CA, and University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. University of California-San Diego is the more selective of the two, admitting about 27% of applicants against 42% at University of California-Davis. University of California-San Diego is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $12,470 a year against $14,741 at University of California-Davis. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 85% at University of California-Davis. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $80,838 for University of California-Davis.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Davis, CA
La Jolla, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
32,253
34,948
Acceptance rate
42%
27%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–4
3.46–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1160–1400
1270–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
25–33
28–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,741
$12,470
Full cost / yr
$41,238
$38,701
In-state tuition
$16,774
$16,758
Out-of-state tuition
$50,974
$50,958
Application fee
$80
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,211
$7,525
$30k - $48k
$9,966
$8,155
$48k - $75k
$11,951
$9,942
$75k - $110k
$16,294
$15,199
Over $110k
$31,272
$28,785
Outcomes
Graduation rate
85%
87%
Freshman retention
93%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$58,461
$65,669
Median earnings (10 yr)
$80,838
$84,943
Median debt at graduation
$13,000
$15,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
31%
34%
First-generation students
41%
40%
International students
13%
11%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of California-Davis or University of California-San Diego harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% of applicants, compared with 42% at University of California-Davis. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of California-Davis or University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $14,741 at University of California-Davis. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Davis and University of California-San Diego?
- Before aid, University of California-San Diego costs about $38,701 a year and University of California-Davis about $41,238. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-Davis or University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 there, against about $9,211 at University of California-Davis. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of California-Davis or University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 32,253 at University of California-Davis.
- Does University of California-Davis or University of California-San Diego have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 85% at University of California-Davis.
- Do graduates of University of California-Davis or University of California-San Diego earn more?
- University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 ten years after enrolling, against about $80,838 for University of California-Davis. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Davis and University of California-San Diego require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Davis is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-San Diego is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Davis and University of California-San Diego look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1160–1400 at University of California-Davis and 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of California-Davis vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Davis vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Davis vs University of California-BerkeleyUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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