UC Davis combines selective admissions with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university produces $16,620 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining median debt levels $7,000 below peer institutions, creating sustainable pathways for economic advancement.
With excellent tier performance, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With strong tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and low debt levels
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert educational access into economic advancement
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top 5 nationally for economic mobility
University of California-Davis ranks #5 nationally in Azimuth's mobility analysis, with mobility performance at the 99.6th percentile and earning the designation of Opportunity Builder. Located in Davis, California, this large public research university combines selective admission standards with exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
UC Davis admits 41.6% of applicants, placing it in the Selective (25-50%) admission tier, while enrolling 30.8% Pell-eligible students and 40.8% first-generation students. Graduates earn $16,620 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 92.4th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $80,838 ten years after enrollment, placing UC Davis at the 94th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $20,295 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions, strong access measures, and excellent economic outcomes positions UC Davis as an institution that converts educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement for diverse student populations.
UC Davis delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds while maintaining manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $80,838 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 94th percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $53,021 at the 25th percentile to $122,634 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career trajectories across disciplines with a 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. The institution generates $16,620 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 92.4th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking strong outcomes in STEM fields, particularly Environmental Science, Biochemistry, and Engineering, while prioritizing accessibility and economic mobility. Well-suited for first-generation students (40.8%) and Pell-eligible students (30.8%) who want a large public research university with demonstrated ability to convert educational access into career advancement.
University of California-Davis admits 41.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UC Davis in the Selective (25-50%) admission tier, representing moderate selectivity that balances accessibility with academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that UC Davis maintains more selective standards than typical four-year institutions, with a difference of 36.5 percentage points. This level of selectivity means that qualified students have reasonable admission prospects while the university maintains academic rigor.
Unlike highly selective institutions where even exceptional students face uncertainty, UC Davis's 41.6% admission rate provides more predictable outcomes for students who meet academic benchmarks. Students should approach UC Davis as a target school if their academic credentials align with typical admitted student profiles, rather than treating it as a reach institution.
The moderate selectivity allows UC Davis to enroll diverse student populations while maintaining strong post-graduation outcomes, contributing to its Opportunity Builder designation in Azimuth's mobility framework.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of California-Davis carries a published cost of attendance of $38,067 for California residents, including $15,247 in in-state tuition, $19,068 for room and board, and $1,381 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with tuition of $46,024.
However, the average student pays just $15,288 after financial aid, representing savings of $22,779 from the sticker price. This net price sits close to the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability within UC Davis's selectivity tier.
The substantial financial aid savings demonstrate the university's commitment to access, with aid packages reducing costs by nearly 60% on average. For California families, the combination of reasonable in-state tuition and generous financial aid creates favorable affordability, particularly given the strong post-graduation earnings outcomes.
The net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $8,594 for the lowest-income families to $31,258 for highest-income families, showing progressive aid targeting. This cost structure supports UC Davis's role as an Opportunity Builder institution, making quality education accessible while delivering strong economic returns.
UC Davis graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $58,461 six years after enrollment to $71,209 at eight years and $80,838 at ten years, representing 38.3% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on robust cohort sizes of 6,281 graduates at six years, 6,666 at eight years, and 6,610 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures.
Graduates earn $16,620 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UC Davis at the 92.4th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $69,600, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from diverse backgrounds.
Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, spanning from $53,021 at the 25th percentile to $122,634 at the 75th percentile. Approximately 25.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to program-mix estimates, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry.
The consistent earnings trajectory and strong cohort sizes reflect outcomes across UC Davis's broad portfolio of academic programs rather than isolated high-earning tracks.
Computer Engineering, General.
100 graduates
Applied Engineering.
129 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
146 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
130 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
176 graduates
UC Davis offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Civil Engineering ranks #5 nationally, producing graduates with median earnings of $91,243 and a value score of 97.6.
Behavioral Neuroscience stands out with 806 graduates earning $53,955 and ranking #5 nationally with a value score of 92.0. Applied Economics represents one of the largest programs with 606 graduates earning $71,906 and ranking #45 nationally.
Environmental Science ranks #3 nationally with graduates earning $63,206, while Biochemistry and Molecular Biology also ranks #3 nationally with graduates earning $65,761. Communication and Media Studies ranks #10 nationally, producing graduates earning $60,820.
These programs demonstrate UC Davis's strength across multiple disciplines, from STEM fields to social sciences, with several programs achieving top-10 national rankings while maintaining substantial enrollment numbers.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Menlo College Higher acceptance rate (26.2 percentage points higher) and located 79 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 68% | $76,419 | Compare |
University Of The Pacific Higher acceptance rate (53.2 percentage points higher) and located 45 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 95% | $78,445 | Compare |
Saint Mary's College Of California Higher acceptance rate (47 percentage points higher) and located 52 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 89% | $78,812 | Compare |
Ursinus College Higher acceptance rate (45.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 87% | $73,721 | Compare |
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (43.7 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 85% | $82,721 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Illinois Chicago Similar quality tier (#6 ranked) | IL | 79% | $68,740 | #6 | Compare |
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This is the University Of California-Davis hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-california-davis/analysis.
California State University-Long Beach Similar quality tier in West (#7 ranked) | CA | 47% | $64,403 | #7 | Compare |
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