University of California-Davis
Davis, California · Public · 41.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 95/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-Davis
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,774/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $50,974/yr |
| Average net price | $14,741/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $58,964 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,838 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $138 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 85.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 32,253 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,211 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,966 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,951 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,294 |
| $110,001+ | $31,272 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-Davis with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $57,378 | B |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $86,155 | A |
| Biology | $68,120 | B |
| Economics | $83,248 | B+ |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $63,720 | B |
| International Relations | $67,759 | B |
| Animal Sciences | $48,441 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $72,778 | B+ |
| Sociology | $59,171 | B |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $65,983 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-Davis is $16,774/year ($50,974/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,741/year, or roughly $58,964 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,211/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,272/year.
The median graduate leaves with $13,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $138 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $80,838 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 84.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 88.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 85.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 41.8% |
| Enrollment | 32,253 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $18,357 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Davis (this school) | 95 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 94 | $15,678 | $82,860 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 94 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 93 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-Davis is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $58,964 and median graduate earnings of $80,838 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.3 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 85.7% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $13,000 is very manageable against $80,838 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.