University of California (UC) Davis Tuition and Fees

University of California (UC) Davis Tuition and Fees

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    By Susan Guillory

    (Last Updated – 06/2025)

    University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a public research university and a premier campus located in Davis, California. Known for its top-ranked veterinary medicine program and its expansive, bike-friendly campus, UC Davis offers more than 100 undergraduate majors alongside graduate and professional degrees.

    Keep reading to learn detailed information on UC Davis tuition and fees, financial aid opportunities, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and more.

    Total Cost of Attendance

    UC Davis has several noteworthy programs, including veterinary medicine and agriculture. In 2024-25, UC Davis tuition and fees was $16,774 for in-state students and $50,974 for out-of-state students. The national averages for public four-year schools are $11,260 for in-state students and $29,150 for out-of-state students.

    Costs for 2024-2025

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $16,774

    $50,974

    Books & Supplies

    $1,386

    $1,386

    Food & Housing

    $19,426

    $19,426

    Other Expenses

    $6,616

    $6,616

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $44,202

    $78,402

    Financial Aid

    At UC Davis, 58% of students use financial aid to help with UC Davis tuition. They may take out student loans or apply for grants and scholarships.

    Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

    The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

    •  Scholarships: Scholarships can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

    •  Grants: Grants are generally based on financial need. These can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

    •  Work-study: Federal Work-Study provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

    •  Federal student loans: Federal student loans are money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

    Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

    You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

    •  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

    •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

    Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

    Private Student Loans

    When it comes to student loans, 22% of students at UC Davis take out federal loans, while 9% take out private loans. The average private student loan is $5,153.

    Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

    What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

    Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as it generally may have better rates and terms.

    If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

    Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

    Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

    To attend UC Davis for four years, students from California will pay $176,808, while students from other states will pay $313,608. The average cost for four years at a public university in the U.S. is $115,360 for in-state students, and $186,920 for out-of-state.

    Here’s some California Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

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    Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2024-25

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $16,774

    $50,974

    Books & Supplies

    $1,386

    $1,386

    Food & Housing

    $19,426

    $19,426

    Other Expenses

    $6,616

    $6,616

    Total

    $44,202

    $78,402

    UC Davis tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses for the 2024-25 school year totaled $44,202 for in-state students and $78,402 for out-of-state students.

    Graduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2024-2025

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $15,141

    $30,243

    University of California, Davis offers many well-respected graduate programs. UC Davis tuition for grad school is $12,762 (in-state) or $27,864 (out-of-state), plus fees totaling $2,379 for each. This is more than the average cost for one year of graduate school at a four-year public institution in the U.S., which is $10,320 per year. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

    Cost per Credit Hour

    UC Davis does not offer the ability to pay per credit hour, even if students attend part-time. Part-time students pay half the full-time tuition.

    Campus Housing Expenses

    Costs for 2024-25

    Student Type

    On-Campus

    Off-Campus

    Food & Housing

    $19,426

    $14,745

    Other Expenses

    $6,616

    $7,254

    Freshmen are not required to live on campus, though more than 90% choose to do so. There are 30 residence halls spread over three areas of campus for students to live in.

    There are many options near campus for students who choose to live in apartments or houses, either on their own or with roommates.

    University of California – Davis Acceptance Rate

    Fall 2023

    Number of applications

    94,637

    Number accepted

    39,748

    Percentage Accepted

    42%

    The UC Davis acceptance rate is 42%, which means that nearly half of the students who apply are accepted.

    Admission Requirements

    Here’s what’s required when applying at UC Davis:

    Required:

    •   High school transcript and GPA

    •   College preparatory program

    •   Personal statement or essay

    The deadline for applications to UC Davis is December 2. You can apply to UC Davis here .

    SAT and ACT Scores

    No SAT or ACT scores are considered with applications through the fall of 2024, and scores won’t be considered for scholarships during this period.

    Graduation Rate

    The graduation rate for students who started at UC Davis in 2017 is 85%.

    Post-Graduation Median Earnings

    After graduating, students from UC Davis earn, on average, $80,838 per year. This is higher than the national average of $68,680 for the class of 2025.

    Bottom Line

    University of California, Davis is well-known for many of its programs, and the tuition is reasonable for such a respected institution. If you need help paying for UC Davis tuition, you can apply for scholarships, grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.

    If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

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