This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz, two prestigious universities within the University of California system. We’ll be looking at aspects such as costs and tuition, admissions, academics, diversity, campus life, and more. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of which school might be the right fit for you.
UC Davis Overview
UC Davis is a public research university located in Davis, California. It was founded in 1905 as an agricultural and mechanical branch of the University of California system. Today, UC Davis has grown to offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a strong focus on research, sustainability, and diversity and is known for its highly ranked programs in biological and agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and engineering.
UC Davis Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, UC Davis estimates the average cost of attendance for undergraduate students to be approximately $36,162 for California residents and $65,423 for out-of-state residents. This includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and other expenses. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with around 52% of undergraduates receiving some form of financial assistance.
UC Davis Admissions
UC Davis has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 39%. Students are evaluated based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. The middle 50% of admitted students have a weighted GPA range of 4.03-4.28, and SAT scores ranging from 1220 to 1470.
UC Davis Degrees Offered
UC Davis offers over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 90 graduate programs across its four colleges and six professional schools. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors include biological sciences, engineering, psychology, economics, and animal science.
UC Davis Academics
The university is known for its strong emphasis on research, with numerous opportunities for students to engage in faculty-mentored research projects. The campus also features state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support students’ academic pursuits.
UC Davis Diversity
UC Davis is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on its campus. The university has various initiatives and programs aimed at supporting underrepresented students, such as the Student Community Center and the Center for African Diaspora Student Success.
UC Davis Students
UC Davis has a diverse student body, with around 30,000 undergraduate students and 8,000 graduate students. Students come from various backgrounds and cultures, creating a vibrant and dynamic campus environment.
UC Davis Campus
The UC Davis campus is spread across 5,300 acres, making it the largest in the University of California system. The campus features numerous green spaces, recreational facilities, and modern buildings equipped with the latest technology.
UC Davis Alumni
UC Davis has produced many notable alumni, including governors, congresspeople, business leaders, and accomplished researchers. Some notable alumni include former California Governor Jerry Brown and former US Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman.
UC Davis Rankings
UC Davis is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UC Davis is ranked 39th among national universities and 9th among public universities.
UC Davis Outcomes
Graduates of UC Davis have a strong track record of success, with an average starting salary of around $57,000 and a mid-career salary of around $108,000. The university also boasts a high graduation rate, with 86% of students completing their degrees within six years.
UC Santa Cruz Overview
UC Santa Cruz is a public research university located in Santa Cruz, California. It was founded in 1965 as a liberal arts college within the University of California system, and today, it has expanded to offer a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is known for its strong emphasis on research, unique college system, and commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability.
UC Santa Cruz Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, UC Santa Cruz estimates the average cost of attendance for undergraduate students to be approximately $36,027 for California residents and $65,288 for out-of-state residents. This includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and other expenses. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with around 65% of undergraduates receiving some form of financial assistance.
UC Santa Cruz Admissions
UC Santa Cruz has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 51%. Students are evaluated based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. The middle 50% of admitted students have a weighted GPA range of 3.76-4.18, and SAT scores ranging from 1180 to 1400.
UC Santa Cruz Degrees Offered
UC Santa Cruz offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate programs across its ten colleges. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors include psychology, biology, computer science, business management economics, and environmental studies.
UC Santa Cruz Academics
The university is known for its strong emphasis on research, with numerous opportunities for students to engage in faculty-mentored research projects. The campus also features state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support students’ academic pursuits.
UC Santa Cruz Diversity
UC Santa Cruz is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on its campus. The university has various initiatives and programs aimed at supporting underrepresented students, such as the Ethnic Resource Centers and the Educational Opportunity Program.
UC Santa Cruz Students
UC Santa Cruz has a diverse student body, with around 18,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students. Students come from various backgrounds and cultures, creating a vibrant and dynamic campus environment.
UC Santa Cruz Campus
The UC Santa Cruz campus is spread across 2,000 acres, nestled among the redwood forests and overlooking the Monterey Bay. The campus features numerous green spaces, recreational facilities, and modern buildings equipped with the latest technology.
UC Santa Cruz Alumni
UC Santa Cruz has produced many notable alumni, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Powers, filmmaker Cary Fukunaga, and astrophysicist Natalie Batalha.
UC Santa Cruz Rankings
UC Santa Cruz is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UC Santa Cruz is ranked 58th among national universities and 19th among public universities.
UC Santa Cruz Outcomes
Graduates of UC Santa Cruz have a strong track record of success, with an average starting salary of around $53,000 and a mid-career salary of around $104,000. The university also boasts a high graduation rate, with 74% of students completing their degrees within six years.
UC Davis vs UC Santa Cruz Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attendance for UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz, the estimates for the 2021-2022 academic year are quite similar. For California residents, UC Davis has an estimated cost of attendance of $36,162, while UC Santa Cruz has an estimated cost of $36,027. For out-of-state residents, UC Davis estimates a cost of $65,423, while UC Santa Cruz estimates a slightly lower cost of $65,288. Both universities offer financial aid options for eligible students.
UC Davis vs UC Santa Cruz Admissions Difficulty
Both UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz have competitive admissions processes. UC Davis has a 39% acceptance rate, while UC Santa Cruz has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 51%. The middle 50% of admitted students at UC Davis have a weighted GPA range of 4.03-4.28 and SAT scores ranging from 1220 to 1470. For UC Santa Cruz, the middle 50% of admitted students have a weighted GPA range of 3.76-4.18 and SAT scores ranging from 1180 to 1400. Both universities evaluate applicants based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.
UC Davis vs UC Santa Cruz Academic Difficulty
Both UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz are well-known for their strong academic programs and emphasis on research. UC Davis is particularly renowned for its programs in biological and agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and engineering, while UC Santa Cruz is known for its programs in psychology, biology, computer science, business management economics, and environmental studies. Students at both universities have access to faculty-mentored research opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities.
UC Davis vs UC Santa Cruz Outcome Comparison
Graduates from both UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz have strong track records of success in terms of salaries and graduation rates. UC Davis graduates have an average starting salary of around $57,000 and a mid-career salary of around $108,000, while UC Santa Cruz graduates have an average starting salary of around $53,000 and a mid-career salary of around $104,000. UC Davis has a higher graduation rate, with 86% of students completing their degrees within six years, compared to UC Santa Cruz’s graduation rate of 74%.
