CU-Boulder vs UC Davis

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and the University of California-Davis (UC Davis), situated amidst the vibrant agricultural region of California, stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. CU Boulder boasts a lower acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a higher graduation rate compared to UC Davis. In terms of popular majors, CU Boulder excels in fields like engineering, business, and computer science, while UC Davis is renowned for its strengths in agricultural and biological sciences, as well as veterinary medicine. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the differences between these two esteemed universities and discover which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of California-Davis	University of Colorado Boulder
Overview
Location	Davis, California	Boulder, Colorado
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	87.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	79.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60
SAT range	N/A	1170 - 1390
ACT range	N/A	25 - 31
Students submitting SAT score		32.0%
Students submitting ACT score		16.0%
Total number of applicants	87,120	54,756
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	43,576
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	6,785
Yield rate	17.6%	15.6%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,584 Out of state: $62,338	In state: $29,725 Out of state: $55,543
Average net price	$16,640	$22,532
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $10,728 Out of state: $36,546
Room & board	$17,018	$15,220
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	53.0% Average amount $9,214
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	27.0% Average amount $4,986
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	6.0% Average amount $24,094

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	30,886 Men 54.8% Women 45.2%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	8,114 Men 57.8% Women 42.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	7.5%	48.8%
International students	17.0%	7.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	11,142	7,500
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	Colorado California Texas Illinois New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Business Engineering Communication and Journalism Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	74.0%
Dropout rate	11.8%	8.6%
Transferred out	N/A	15.9%
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	Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,752 Year 2: $116,679 Year 3: $121,033 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $118,373 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,907 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $108,458 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,254 Year 2: $89,641 Year 3: $97,860 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,200 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $92,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,191 Year 2: $80,503 Year 3: $87,258 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,023 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $86,676 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,804 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $85,563 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,633 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $85,039 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,440 Year 2: $71,957 Year 3: $83,132

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between CU Boulder and UC Davis?

CU Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, offering a vibrant college town atmosphere with extensive outdoor recreational opportunities. UC Davis is situated in Davis, California, a smaller, more agricultural-focused city in the Sacramento Valley. Davis provides a more relaxed, bike-friendly environment with a strong emphasis on sustainability and agricultural sciences.
How do CU Boulder and UC Davis compare in terms of academic focus and strengths?

CU Boulder is known for its strong programs in aerospace engineering, physics, environmental science, and journalism. It has a robust research focus and a strong emphasis on innovation. UC Davis excels in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, biological sciences, and environmental studies. It's a leading institution in agricultural research and sustainability.
What is the difference in the cost of attendance between CU Boulder and UC Davis?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. Generally, for in-state students, UC Davis will be less expensive than CU Boulder. For out-of-state students, both universities have similar tuition costs, but living expenses in Boulder might be slightly higher due to the cost of housing. Be sure to check the official websites for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
How do the student bodies at CU Boulder and UC Davis differ?

CU Boulder tends to draw a larger proportion of students from outside of Colorado, creating a more geographically diverse student body. UC Davis primarily attracts students from California, resulting in a student body that is more representative of the state's demographics. Both universities have large student populations, but CU Boulder might feel slightly more 'outdoorsy' due to its location.
What are the popular majors at CU Boulder and UC Davis?

At CU Boulder, popular majors include engineering (especially aerospace), business, psychology, and communication. At UC Davis, popular majors include biological sciences, managerial economics, animal science, and psychology. Both universities offer a wide range of programs, but these are some of their most sought-after fields of study.
How do the research opportunities compare between CU Boulder and UC Davis?

Both CU Boulder and UC Davis are research-intensive universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. CU Boulder has strong research programs in aerospace, climate science, and renewable energy. UC Davis is a leader in agricultural research, veterinary medicine, and environmental sustainability. Your choice depends on your specific research interests.
What is the campus culture like at CU Boulder versus UC Davis?

CU Boulder has a vibrant and active campus culture with a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation, sports, and social activities. There's a strong sense of school spirit. UC Davis has a more relaxed and collaborative campus culture, with a focus on sustainability, community engagement, and academic pursuits. It's known for its bike-friendly campus and close-knit community.
How do CU Boulder and UC Davis compare in terms of career services and job placement?

Both CU Boulder and UC Davis offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. CU Boulder has strong connections with companies in the aerospace, technology, and environmental sectors. UC Davis has strong ties to the agricultural, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. Your career goals should influence your choice.
What are the admission requirements like for CU Boulder and UC Davis?

Both CU Boulder and UC Davis are selective universities with competitive admission requirements. UC Davis, as part of the University of California system, requires a specific set of high school courses. Both universities consider GPA, standardized test scores (though UC schools are test-blind), essays, and extracurricular activities. Check each university's admissions website for the most current requirements.
What are some unique aspects of CU Boulder and UC Davis that might appeal to students?

CU Boulder offers stunning mountain views, a vibrant music scene, and a strong sense of school pride. Its location provides unparalleled access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. UC Davis is known for its commitment to sustainability, its world-renowned veterinary school, and its close-knit community. It's a great choice for students interested in agriculture, environmental studies, or animal science.

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