UC San Diego vs UC Davis

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of two prestigious institutions: University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and University of California-Davis (UC Davis). While both universities share the esteemed reputation of the UC system, they offer distinct experiences that cater to diverse aspirations. UCSD, nestled along the scenic Pacific coast, boasts a higher acceptance rate, attracting a larger and more diverse student body. UC Davis, known for its agricultural and veterinary sciences programs, offers a more selective admissions process and a smaller, tight-knit community. Explore the nuances of these two exceptional universities through our comprehensive comparison table, delving into acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal preferences, setting the stage for an enriching and transformative educational journey.

	University of California-Davis	University of California-San Diego
Overview
Location	Davis, California	La Jolla, 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%	95.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	34.2%
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	118,386
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	40,493
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	7,544
Yield rate	17.6%	18.6%
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	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,584 Out of state: $62,338	In state: $35,116 Out of state: $64,870
Average net price	$16,640	$15,632
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	$17,018	$16,145
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	48.0% Average amount $18,083
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	21.0% Average amount $4,545
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	7.0% Average amount $4,851

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	33,343 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	8,542 Men 57.6% Women 42.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.5%	16.6%
International students	17.0%	21.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,142	17,765
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 Washington Texas New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Computer and Information Science Health Professions Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	19:1
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%	89.4%
Dropout rate	11.8%	9.7%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,903 Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $137,917 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,500 Year 2: $125,015 Year 3: $135,009 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,299 Year 2: $116,258 Year 3: $127,335 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,488 Year 2: $81,609 Year 3: $103,694 Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,669 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $100,961 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $112,976 Year 2: $98,186 Year 3: $99,585 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,487 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $98,364 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $94,032 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,487 Year 2: $70,370 Year 3: $89,594 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,514 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $87,586	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,768 Year 2: $162,463 Year 3: $194,475 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,641 Year 2: $127,993 Year 3: $153,118 Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $124,326 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $118,445 Year 2: $113,668 Year 3: $123,569 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,196 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $113,628 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,603 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $109,783 Education, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $108,034 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $87,738 Year 2: $86,972 Year 3: $105,245 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,610 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $102,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,476 Year 2: $79,688 Year 3: $99,630

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UC San Diego and UC Davis?

UC San Diego (UCSD) is a renowned research university with a strong focus on STEM fields, particularly engineering, sciences, and medicine. It's located in a large, urban environment in La Jolla, a coastal community within San Diego. UC Davis (UCD), on the other hand, is known for its excellence in agricultural and environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, and biological sciences. It's situated in a more traditional college town setting in Davis, California, which offers a more relaxed and community-oriented atmosphere.
Which university is better for STEM majors?

Both UCSD and UCD are excellent choices for STEM majors. UCSD is particularly strong in engineering, computer science, physics, and biological sciences, with numerous research opportunities. UCD excels in biological sciences, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, and veterinary medicine. The 'better' choice depends on your specific STEM field and research interests. If you're interested in a more urban environment with a strong emphasis on technology and engineering, UCSD might be a better fit. If you prefer a more rural setting with a focus on agriculture, environmental science, and biological sciences, UCD could be a better choice.
How do the campus environments compare?

UCSD has a more modern, spread-out campus with a distinct architectural style across its various colleges. It's located in La Jolla, a vibrant coastal community with beaches and a bustling atmosphere. UCD has a more traditional, compact campus with a classic college town feel. Davis is known for its bike-friendly environment and close-knit community. UCSD offers a more urban and fast-paced environment, while UCD provides a more relaxed and community-focused atmosphere.
Which university is stronger in the humanities and social sciences?

While both universities have strong programs in the humanities and social sciences, UCSD generally has a slight edge in certain areas, particularly economics, political science, and psychology. UCD also has reputable programs in these fields, as well as strengths in history, English, and sociology. Consider researching specific departments and faculty within each university to determine which aligns best with your academic interests.
What are the research opportunities like at each university?

Both UCSD and UCD are major research universities with abundant research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UCSD benefits from its proximity to numerous biotech and technology companies, providing opportunities for internships and research collaborations. UCD has extensive research facilities related to agriculture, environmental science, and veterinary medicine, including the California National Primate Research Center. Both universities offer programs to connect students with research opportunities, so explore the specific programs within your field of interest.
How do the costs of attending UCSD and UCD compare?

The cost of attendance at UCSD and UCD is relatively similar for in-state students, as they are both part of the University of California system. Out-of-state tuition is also comparable. However, the overall cost can vary depending on factors such as housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. La Jolla (UCSD) tends to have a higher cost of living than Davis (UCD), particularly regarding housing. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What is the student life like at UCSD versus UCD?

UCSD's student life is characterized by a diverse student body and a wide range of clubs and organizations. The university's unique college system fosters smaller communities within the larger university. Social life at UCSD often revolves around campus events, outdoor activities, and exploring the San Diego area. UCD's student life is known for its strong sense of community and school spirit. The university has a vibrant Greek life, numerous student organizations, and a focus on sustainability and environmental awareness. Davis is a bike-friendly town with a lively downtown area that caters to students.
Which university is more competitive to get into?

Generally, UCSD is considered slightly more competitive to get into than UCD, although both are highly selective universities. Admission rates can fluctuate from year to year, so it's essential to check the most recent data on the universities' websites. Both universities look for strong academic records, extracurricular involvement, and compelling personal essays. The specific requirements and preferences may vary by major, so research the admission criteria for your intended field of study.
How do the career services at UCSD and UCD compare?

Both UCSD and UCD offer comprehensive career services to help students prepare for their careers. UCSD benefits from its location in a major metropolitan area with numerous job opportunities in technology, biotech, and other industries. UCD has strong connections to agricultural, environmental, and government organizations. Both universities offer career counseling, resume workshops, internship programs, and job fairs. The specific resources and opportunities may vary depending on your major, so explore the career services offered by your department.
What are the notable alumni from each university?

UCSD has produced notable alumni in various fields, including Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, and artists. Some notable alumni include Irwin Jacobs (co-founder of Qualcomm), Craig Venter (biologist and entrepreneur), and Mike Judge (creator of Beavis and Butt-Head). UCD has also produced distinguished alumni, particularly in agriculture, science, and politics. Some notable alumni include T. Boone Pickens (businessman), Ann M. Veneman (former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture), and Martin Yan (celebrity chef).

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