University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs UC Davis
Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles and the vibrant city of Davis, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of California-Davis (UC Davis) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education in California. While both institutions share the UC system's commitment to academic excellence, they offer unique experiences shaped by their contrasting locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. UCLA, renowned for its urban setting and proximity to the entertainment industry, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of programs in arts, humanities, and social sciences. UC Davis, on the other hand, thrives in a college-town atmosphere, emphasizing agricultural and veterinary sciences, biological sciences, and engineering. As you explore the comparison table below, discover the nuances that set these two universities apart and help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
  | 
       | 
          
        
          
             
          
          University of California-Davis | 
          
        
          
             
          
          University of California-Los Angeles | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Davis, California | Los Angeles, California | 
| Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: Large | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Public | Public | 
| Calendar system | Quarter | Quarter | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 91.0% | 97.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      No | No | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 48.8% | 10.8% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $70
           
          
            Graduate:
            $120
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $70
           
          
            Graduate:
            $120
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | N/A | N/A | 
| ACT range | N/A | N/A | 
| Students submitting SAT score | ||
| Students submitting ACT score | ||
| Total number of applicants | 87,120 | 139,489 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 42,475 | 15,028 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 7,482 | 6,584 | 
| Yield rate | 17.6% | 43.8% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required | 
| High school transcript | Not required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | 
                         
            In state:
            $32,584
           
          
            Out of state:
            $62,338
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $36,173
           
          
            Out of state:
            $65,927
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $16,640 | $13,393 | 
| Tuition | 
                         
            In state:
            $11,442
           
          
            Out of state:
            $41,196
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $11,442
           
          
            Out of state:
            $41,196
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | $17,018 | $16,763 | 
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          59.0%
        
         Average amount $17,628  | 
      
              
          45.0%
        
         Average amount $17,592  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          23.0%
        
         Average amount $4,043  | 
      
              
          11.0%
        
         Average amount $4,391  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          11.0%
        
         Average amount $3,360  | 
      
              
          1.0%
        
         Average amount $19,764  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          31,657
        
        
           Men 39.8% Women 60.2%  | 
      
              
          32,122
        
        
           Men 40.2% Women 59.8%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          8,393
        
        
           Men 43.8% Women 56.2%  | 
      
              
          13,994
        
        
           Men 50.5% Women 49.5%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 7.5% | 21.9% | 
| International students | 17.0% | 14.5% | 
| Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | 11,142 | 20,372 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Illinois Texas Hawaii | California Texas Washington New York Illinois | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 18:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 86.9% | 92.1% | 
| Dropout rate | 11.8% | 3.7% | 
| Transferred out | N/A | 3.6% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Law (First Professional Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Law (First Professional Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member