UC Davis vs Berkeley
Nestled in the heart of California's Central Valley, University of California-Davis (UC Davis) and its vibrant campus await you. With an acceptance rate of 41%, UC Davis offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs, including renowned majors in agriculture, biological sciences, and engineering. In contrast, University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley), situated in the bustling city of Berkeley, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 17%. UC Berkeley excels in fields such as computer science, engineering, and economics, attracting top students from around the world. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, their distinct locations, acceptance rates, and popular majors cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() University of California-Berkeley |
![]() University of California-Davis |
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Overview |
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Location | Berkeley, California | Davis, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 14.4% | 48.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 112,843 | 87,120 |
Total number of admissions given out | 16,295 | 42,475 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 6,931 | 7,482 |
Yield rate | 42.5% | 17.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$37,920
Out of state:
$67,674
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In state:
$32,584
Out of state:
$62,338
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Average net price | $17,652 | $16,640 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
|
Room & board | $20,236 | $17,018 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
52.0%
Average amount $21,406 |
59.0%
Average amount $17,628 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
15.0%
Average amount $4,586 |
23.0%
Average amount $4,043 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $7,122 |
11.0%
Average amount $3,360 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
31,814
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
31,657
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
Graduate students |
13,222
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
8,393
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 16.9% | 7.5% |
International students | 18.0% | 17.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 9,630 | 11,142 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York | California Washington Illinois Texas Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 21:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.8% | 86.9% |
Dropout rate | 6.3% | 11.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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