University

University of California-Davis

Davis, California, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

The University of California, Davis is a public land-grant research university in Davis, California, at One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616. It is a campus of the University of California system. It was founded in 1908 as the University Farm with 18 students, was renamed the College of Agriculture at Davis in 1938, and was designated a general campus by the UC Regents in 1959. The university comprises 11 colleges and schools: the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Letters and Science, Graduate School of Management, Graduate Studies, School of Education, School of Law, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Veterinary Medicine. According to the university, it enrolls 39,414 students and offers 107 academic majors and 101 graduate degree programs.

Institution type: Public
Campus setting: Suburban
Application platforms: Direct application
Testing policy: Test blind (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $16,774
Out-of-state tuition: $50,974
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 32,253

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2025–2026 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

44.3%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 31,695 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 30,904 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 791 students

First-year admission

Majors

Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Engineering
Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Agricultural Production Operations
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Animal Sciences
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Apparel and Textiles
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Applied Mathematics
Mathematics and Statistics

Deadlines

Regular decision · 2026–2027
2026-11-30 — Fall first-year application filing deadline for the UC system.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/dates-and-deadlines.html

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Regular decision · 2025–2026
2025-11-30 — First-year application filing period. The UC application may be started as early as Aug. 1; the submission window is open Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, with a submission deadline of Nov. 30. UC has a single November filing period for first-year applicants (no early decision or early action).
https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/timeline

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

No supplemental essays are required for this university.

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Optional · First-year applicants
Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $80
First-year UC application fee for U.S. applicants; the fee is paid per campus selected.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Available
The UC application provides a fee waiver for eligible applicants.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/
Personal essay · Required
Value: 4 personal insight questions
UC first-year applicants answer four personal insight questions in the application.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Official UC first-year application and personal insight question requirements.
Official source · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/dates-and-deadlines.html
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Official UC system first-year filing dates for all campuses.
Official source · supports admissions_url
https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year
Retrieved 2026-07-21
Official source · supports financial_aid_url

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

45,674 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

6,824 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

66.14%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

23.08%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

8.4%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

1.91%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

0.43%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

0.04%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

4.03 GPA

The CDS reports an average and distribution, not GPA percentiles.

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): Not reported by institution; The official CDS leaves C9 standardized-test submission and percentile cells blank.
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): Not reported by institution; The official CDS leaves C9 standardized-test submission and percentile cells blank.
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): Not reported by institution
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): Not reported by institution
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): Not reported by institution
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): Not reported by institution
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): Not reported by institution
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): Not reported by institution

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 22:1; The CDS labels this as a Fall 2025 ratio.

Source: University of California, Davis Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Retrieved 2026-09-01

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:2f284018a62cc005e380e0ff452c7c2d1e1a8a5a59d327a5cdcf45065c0a99bd · Import: cds-2026-09-v26

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

Physical Sciences

Biochemical Engineering

Engineering

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biological/Biosystems Engineering

Engineering

Biology, General

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Engineering

Biotechnology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Botany/Plant Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Business/Managerial Economics

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Chemical Engineering

Engineering

Chemistry

Physical Sciences

City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning

Architecture and Related Services

Civil Engineering

Engineering

Classical and Ancient Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Cognitive Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Communication and Media Studies

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer Engineering

Engineering

Computer Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Design and Applied Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Economics

Social Sciences

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering, General

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

English Language and Literature/Letters, Other

English Language and Literature/Letters

Environmental Design

Architecture and Related Services

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

Engineering

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Food Science and Technology

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Forestry

Natural Resources and Conservation

Genetics

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

International Agriculture

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

International Relations and National Security Studies

Social Sciences

Landscape Architecture

Architecture and Related Services

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Marine Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Materials Engineering

Engineering

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources and Conservation, Other

Natural Resources and Conservation

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Nutrition Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration

Health Professions and Related Programs

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physical Sciences, General

Physical Sciences

Physical Sciences, Other

Physical Sciences

Physics

Physical Sciences

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Plant Sciences

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Psychology, Other

Psychology

Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Research and Experimental Psychology

Psychology

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

English Language and Literature/Letters

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Science, Technology and Society

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Social Sciences, General

Social Sciences

Social Sciences, Other

Social Sciences

Sociology

Social Sciences

Soil Sciences

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Education

Visual and Performing Arts, Other

Visual and Performing Arts

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Natural Resources and Conservation

Zoology/Animal Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Financial aid · 2025–2026

2026-03-02 — Priority deadline to file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for financial aid, and the Cal Grant GPA verification form due date. The FAFSA/CADAA filing window opens Oct. 1.

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/timeline

Optional · First-year applicants

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

Optional · First-year applicants

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Optional · First-year applicants

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Optional · First-year applicants

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Optional · First-year applicants

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Optional · First-year applicants

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Optional · First-year applicants

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Limit: 350 words — One of eight UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). First-year applicants must respond to exactly 4 of the 8; each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html

Supplemental essays · Not required

No supplemental essays are required for this university.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-to-uc/

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: 80
Application fee is $80 per UC campus for domestic applicants and $95 per campus for international applicants. Paid via the UC application.
https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply
Fee waiver · Optional
Fee waivers are available for eligible students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for AB540 benefits, whose family size and income fall within specific guidelines. Waivers can be requested for up to four UC campuses through the UC application.
https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply
Recommendation letters · Not required
Letters of recommendation are not part of the UC first-year application; the application components listed are About you, Academic history, Test scores, Activities & awards, Personal insight, and others, and do not include recommendation letters.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html
Personal essay · Required
Value: 4
First-year applicants must respond to 4 of the 8 UC Personal Insight Questions, each limited to a maximum of 350 words. The UC application uses the Personal Insight Questions in place of a single personal statement.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html
FAFSA · Required
Applicants for financial aid file the FAFSA (U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens) or the California Dream Act Application; priority filing deadline is March 2. UC Davis school code is 001313.
https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/timeline

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/requirements

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/timeline

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/timeline

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://www.ucdavis.edu/about

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?110644

Retrieved 2026-06-10