UC Irvine vs UC Davis

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a transformative educational journey at either the University of California-Irvine (UCI) or the University of California-Davis (UCD). While both institutions share the prestige of being part of the esteemed University of California system, they offer distinct experiences. UCI, nestled in the vibrant city of Irvine, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process. UCD, situated in the charming college town of Davis, offers a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, such as popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic future.

	University of California-Davis	University of California-Irvine
Overview
Location	Davis, California	Irvine, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	93.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	28.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	87,120	107,950
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	31,110
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	6,489
Yield rate	17.6%	20.9%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,584 Out of state: $62,338	In state: $35,033 Out of state: $64,787
Average net price	$16,640	$11,633
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	$17,018	$16,869
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	78.0% Average amount $16,868
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	18.0% Average amount $4,696
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	2.0% Average amount $7,702

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	29,449 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	7,056 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.5%	13.5%
International students	17.0%	18.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,142	15,493
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Illinois Texas Hawaii	California Washington Hawaii Texas New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions Engineering Education
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	83.7%
Dropout rate	11.8%	6.4%
Transferred out	N/A	9.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,903 Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $137,917 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,500 Year 2: $125,015 Year 3: $135,009 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,299 Year 2: $116,258 Year 3: $127,335 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,488 Year 2: $81,609 Year 3: $103,694 Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,669 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $100,961 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $112,976 Year 2: $98,186 Year 3: $99,585 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,487 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $98,364 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $94,032 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,487 Year 2: $70,370 Year 3: $89,594 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,514 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $87,586	Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,124 Year 2: $190,536 Year 3: $178,048 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,708 Year 2: $90,983 Year 3: $109,642 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,417 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $102,324 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,451 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $101,335 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,618 Year 2: $81,929 Year 3: $95,882 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $95,654 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,796 Year 2: $73,128 Year 3: $86,654 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,841 Year 2: $65,332 Year 3: $85,004 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,056 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,300 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,396 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $80,210

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UC Irvine and UC Davis?

UC Irvine (UCI) is located in urban Orange County, known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and business. UC Davis (UCD) is situated in a more traditional college town setting near Sacramento, and it's renowned for its agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and environmental studies. UCI tends to have a more modern, tech-focused feel, while UCD has a more classic, research-oriented atmosphere.
Which school is better for STEM fields?

Both UCI and UCD are excellent for STEM, but they have different strengths. UCI excels in computer science, electrical engineering, and related tech fields, benefiting from its proximity to the tech industry. UCD is particularly strong in biological sciences, agricultural sciences, and environmental engineering. Your choice depends on your specific STEM interest.
How do the campus environments compare?

UCI's campus is known for its modern architecture and circular layout, making it easy to navigate. It's located in a suburban area with access to beaches and urban amenities. UCD's campus is larger and more spread out, with a more traditional college town feel. It has a strong sense of community and is surrounded by agricultural land, offering a different kind of campus experience.
Which university is stronger in the humanities and social sciences?

Both universities offer strong programs in the humanities and social sciences. UCI has notable programs in criminology, law and society, and literary journalism. UCD has a strong reputation in political science, history, and sociology. The 'better' choice depends on the specific program you're interested in.
What are the differences in cost of attendance?

The cost of attendance for both UC Irvine and UC Davis is relatively similar for in-state students, as they are both part of the University of California system. Out-of-state tuition is also comparable. However, the overall cost can vary depending on factors like housing choices, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information.
How do the student populations differ?

Both UCI and UCD have large and diverse student populations. UCI has a significant Asian American student population, while UCD has a more balanced representation across different ethnic groups. Both universities attract students from all over California, the United States, and the world.
What are the research opportunities like at each school?

Both UCI and UCD are major research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UCD has a strong emphasis on agricultural and environmental research, while UCI has strengths in medical, engineering, and computer science research. Both universities offer various research programs and funding opportunities.
Which school is better for pre-med students?

Both UCI and UCD are excellent choices for pre-med students. UCD has a strong reputation in the biological sciences and a medical school on campus, providing opportunities for research and clinical experience. UCI also has a medical school and offers strong science programs, as well as access to hospitals and clinics in Orange County. Your choice depends on your specific interests within medicine and the research opportunities you seek.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both UCI and UCD offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UCI benefits from its location in Orange County, which provides access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in various industries. UCD benefits from its proximity to Sacramento and its strong connections to agricultural and environmental organizations. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can help students find internships and jobs.
What is the social scene like at each university?

UCI's social scene is more diverse, with a mix of on-campus activities, Greek life, and off-campus events in Orange County. UCD has a more traditional college town social scene, centered around campus events, student organizations, and the downtown area of Davis. UCD is known for its strong sense of community and school spirit, while UCI offers a wider range of social options due to its location in a larger metropolitan area.
How do the acceptance rates compare?

Acceptance rates can fluctuate year to year, but generally, both UCI and UCD are highly selective universities. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date acceptance rate information. Your chances of admission depend on your academic record, test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.
Which school is better for environmental studies?

UC Davis is generally considered stronger for environmental studies due to its location, research facilities, and dedicated programs in areas like environmental science, policy, and engineering. While UCI also offers environmental programs, UCD's focus and resources in this area are more extensive.

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