California · College profile

University of California-Davis: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs

University of California-Davis is a public four-year university in Davis, California, enrolling about 32,253 undergraduates. It admits roughly 42% of applicants, which makes it moderately selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.

University of California-Davis campus
Photo: Daderot ยท CC0

SAT and ACT scores at University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis does not report SAT or ACT score ranges in the most recent federal data, which usually means a test-optional or test-free policy with too few submitted scores to publish. Check the admissions office for the current cycle before deciding whether to send scores.

Admissions and selectivity

MeasureValue
Acceptance rate41.8%
Undergraduate enrollment32,253
Student–faculty ratio22:1
SettingSuburb
ControlPublic

Cost and financial aid

MeasureAmount
In-state tuition and fees$16,774
Out-of-state tuition and fees$50,974
Room and board$19,426
Average net price (first-year students)$14,741
Students receiving Pell grants31.4%
Students taking federal loans19.7%
Median federal loan debt at graduation$11,000

Net price is the number that matters: $14,741 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.

Graduation and earnings outcomes

MeasureValue
Graduation rate (6-year)85.7%
First-year retention92.8%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$80,838
Students who are first-generation40.8%

Most popular majors

Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.

How your score compares

Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside University of California-Davis's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.

Start a free practice test →

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Davis?

University of California-Davis admits about 41.8% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

Does University of California-Davis require SAT or ACT scores?

The most recent federal data lists University of California-Davis's testing policy as "Considered". Policies change yearly, so confirm with the admissions office for your application cycle.

How much does University of California-Davis cost?

Published tuition and fees are $16,774 in-state and $50,974 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $14,741 after grant aid.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.

FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →