UC Davis's published cost of attendance is $41,238, but financial aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $9,211, middle-income families pay around $11,951, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,272.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $41,238 |
| Tuition and Fees | $50,974 |
| Room and Board | $19,426 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,386 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$26,497 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,741 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,211 |
| $30–48k | $9,966 |
| $48–75k | $11,951 |
| $75–110k | $16,294 |
| $110k+ | $31,272 |
UC Davis's published cost of attendance is $41,238, but financial aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $9,211, middle-income families pay around $11,951, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,272. Azimuth ranks UC Davis #151 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — placing it in the 89.5th percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and net price shows how institutional aid affects real costs — net price and sticker price can differ substantially.
The university offers work-study as part of its aid structure and participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, with institutional grants available to qualifying students.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $13,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,733; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at UC Davis's median four-year earnings of $73,086, median federal debt of $13,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $147 under standard 10-year repayment. For personalized projections including Parent PLUS scenarios, see the .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of California-Davis earn median earnings of $73,086 four years after enrollment — in the 74.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,789 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of California-Davis in the 86.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of California-Davis #340 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 77.1 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects University of California-Davis's strength in Biological Sciences, which represents 15% of graduates. Research and Experimental Psychology is the largest program with 924 graduates earning median earnings of $57,378 four years after enrollment. Azimuth ranks Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods #20 among nonprofit four-year institutions , with graduates earning $86,155. The Honors program, per program guidelines, provides research pathways that complement these professional outcomes.
