University of California-Davis
Davis, California · Public · 41.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 95/100 · Exceptional Value
UC Davis earns an ROI score of 95 -- Exceptional Value -- driven by strong engineering and science earnings, low median debt of $13,000, and 85.7% completion. Net price averages $14,741 for in-state students. The 41.8% admissions rate is open enough that strong California students have a real shot. Median 10-year earnings of $80,838 come in above UC average for the system. Davis is known nationally for its agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and food science programs, but the highest-earning programs are engineering and computer science, where 4-year earnings exceed $100,000. The school enrolls 32,253 students across a large research campus in the Central Valley. Its location near Sacramento -- California's state capital -- creates government and policy career pipelines that complement the technical programs.
The median graduate earns $80,838 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
University of California-Davis
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $9,211 per year at UC Davis. California's Cal Grant program layers on top of federal Pell grants to create genuinely affordable access for low-income in-state students. At $9,211 annually, four-year total cost is under $37,000 -- less than one year of many private alternatives.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Families in the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pay $9,966 per year; those earning $48,001-$75,000 pay $11,951. Cost stays relatively flat through the middle range. The jump to $16,294 for the $75,001-$110,000 bracket adds roughly $17,000 over four years compared to the lowest tier. These prices remain highly competitive against out-of-state public and private alternatives.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $31,272 per year -- roughly $125,000 over four years for in-state students. Against median 10-year earnings of $80,838 and a 4.3-year payback period, this is well within the range of financially sound investments. Engineering and computer science graduates will clear the investment in under 3 years at these income levels.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Engineering
102 graduates with 1-year earnings of $96,418 and 4-year earnings of $145,422. Debt-to-earnings ratio 0.133 (grade: A). Computer engineering at Davis sits at the intersection of hardware and software, preparing graduates for semiconductor roles (Intel, Apple, Nvidia all have major California operations), embedded systems development, and AI hardware design. With only $12,804 in median debt against those earnings, the payback math is among the most favorable in the UC system. Davis's proximity to Silicon Valley companies with Sacramento-area facilities amplifies job placement.
Mechanical Engineering
153 graduates with 1-year earnings of $75,231 and 4-year earnings of $102,161. Debt-to-earnings 0.199 (grade: A). California's aerospace manufacturers, agricultural equipment companies, and the expanding electric vehicle supply chain all recruit Davis mechanical engineers. The program's size means large graduating cohorts with broad employer relationships. At $15,000 median debt, the ROI case is clear. Students interested in sustainable energy systems or agricultural mechanization find a particularly strong research environment here.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
502 graduates -- the largest program at Davis by graduate count -- with 1-year earnings of $52,684 and 4-year earnings of $86,155. Debt-to-earnings 0.231 (grade: A). This program bridges quantitative analysis and business decision-making, funneling graduates into data analyst, operations research, and supply chain roles. The Sacramento and Bay Area markets both absorb these graduates. With low median debt of $12,144 and strong 4-year progression, management sciences delivers solid returns for students who want business-adjacent credentials without a standalone business school.
Economics
417 graduates with 1-year earnings of $50,295 and 4-year earnings of $83,248. Debt-to-earnings 0.258 (grade: B+). Davis economics graduates enter government agencies, think tanks, financial services, and consulting. Sacramento's proximity means meaningful public-sector placement in state agencies and policy organizations. The 4-year earnings above $83,000 show strong trajectory from modest starting positions. At $13,000 median debt, economics is one of the better non-technical value propositions in the UC system.
Biology
430 graduates with 1-year earnings of $35,241 and 4-year earnings of $68,120. Debt-to-earnings 0.369 (grade: B). Biology at Davis is a gateway to veterinary school, medical school, and biotech research careers -- most of which are not captured in the 4-year earnings window. Davis's world-class veterinary college creates research opportunities and mentorship that few universities can match. Students who enter biology planning to pursue graduate or professional degrees will see substantially higher lifetime earnings than the 4-year snapshot suggests.
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 |
UC Davis admitted 41.8% of applicants -- moderately selective by UC system standards, more accessible than Berkeley or UCLA. The school does not report SAT/ACT score bands in Scorecard. UC applicants should have strong GPAs, especially in a-g requirements, and compelling personal insight questions. Davis is a strong choice for students who clear Berkeley's bar but don't get in.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UC Davis's listed peers include UC Irvine, University of Washington Seattle, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (ROI 93, 85.1% completion, net price $14,355). Davis posts a slightly higher ROI score (95 vs. 93) with lower median debt ($13,000 vs. ~$17,000 at Illinois). University of Maryland College Park is another peer with similar public flagship characteristics. Davis's agricultural sciences and food technology programs have no direct parallel at most peers -- that's a genuine differentiation for students targeting agtech, food systems, or veterinary pathways. Compared to UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara, Davis charges comparable net prices with stronger agricultural program depth.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
UC Davis fits California residents who want research university credentials at public-school cost. The school does not report SAT/ACT score distributions in the Scorecard data, but UC system applications are highly competitive. The 31.4% Pell rate is among the higher figures in the UC system, reflecting Davis's draw from inland California communities. Students thrive here in lab-heavy natural sciences, engineering, and agricultural technology. Students pursuing fine arts, area studies, or film should run the numbers: earnings are lower and debt ratios climb.
Transfer Pathways
UC Davis has well-established articulation agreements with California community colleges through the California community college transfer pathway. Transfer students from CCC campuses can enter as juniors with guaranteed admission tags available for select majors.
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.
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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.