University of Vermont (UVM) vs UC Davis

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Burlington, Vermont, and Davis, California, home to the University of Vermont (UVM) and the University of California-Davis (UC Davis), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your college experience. UVM boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while UC Davis stands out with its lower student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring more personalized attention. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, such as popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of California-Davis	University of Vermont
Overview
Location	Davis, California	Burlington, Vermont
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	City: Small
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%	89.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	63.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $65
SAT range	N/A	1240 - 1410
ACT range	N/A	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score		34.0%
Students submitting ACT score		14.0%
Total number of applicants	87,120	25,559
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	16,233
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	2,932
Yield rate	17.6%	18.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	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: $36,880 Out of state: $61,768
Average net price	$16,640	$19,873
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $16,392 Out of state: $41,280
Room & board	$17,018	Room/dormitory: $8,756 Meal plan: $4,568
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	94.0% Average amount $18,366
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	46.0% Average amount $5,032
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	14.0% Average amount $17,064

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	11,626 Men 37.8% Women 62.2%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	2,200 Men 38.1% Women 61.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Very Low
Out-of-state students	7.5%	82.3%
International students	17.0%	2.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	11,142	6,492
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	Mississippi Vermont New York Connecticut New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Natural Resources and Conservation Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	77.1%
Dropout rate	11.8%	22.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $92,960 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,622 Year 2: $72,325 Year 3: $80,403 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $58,569 Year 2: $59,177 Year 3: $71,878 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $64,707 Year 2: $67,287 Year 3: $70,084 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,950 Year 2: $56,641 Year 3: $65,279 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,784 Year 2: $61,875 Year 3: $64,632 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,570 Year 2: $55,770 Year 3: $64,381 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,024 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $64,348 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,867 Year 2: $47,846 Year 3: $61,295 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,959 Year 2: $54,361 Year 3: $59,719

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Vermont (UVM) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis)?

UVM, located in Burlington, Vermont, is a mid-sized public university known for its strong environmental science programs and a close-knit community feel. UC Davis, situated in Davis, California, is a large public research university renowned for its agricultural and veterinary science programs, offering a wider range of academic disciplines and a more diverse student body. The location is a significant difference: UVM offers a New England experience with four distinct seasons, while UC Davis provides a California climate and proximity to major cities like Sacramento and San Francisco.
Which university is better for students interested in environmental studies?

Both UVM and UC Davis offer excellent environmental studies programs. UVM's location in Vermont provides unique opportunities for hands-on learning in a natural environment, and its Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is highly regarded. UC Davis also has a strong environmental science program, particularly focused on agricultural and ecological sustainability, benefiting from California's diverse ecosystems and agricultural industry. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests within environmental studies and preferred learning environment.
How do the costs of attending UVM and UC Davis compare?

The cost of attendance varies significantly depending on residency. For in-state students, UC Davis is generally more affordable due to lower tuition fees. However, for out-of-state students, both universities have similar tuition costs. Remember to factor in living expenses, which can be higher in California, especially near UC Davis. Be sure to check the latest tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most accurate information.
What is the campus culture like at UVM versus UC Davis?

UVM has a reputation for a more relaxed and outdoorsy campus culture, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. Burlington is a vibrant college town that contributes to the university's atmosphere. UC Davis, being a larger university, offers a more diverse range of student activities and organizations. The campus is known for its friendly and collaborative environment, with a strong focus on research and innovation. Davis itself is a classic college town, known for its bike-friendly atmosphere.
Which university is stronger in agricultural and veterinary sciences?

UC Davis is widely recognized as a leader in agricultural and veterinary sciences. Its College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine are consistently ranked among the best in the world. While UVM has programs related to agriculture and animal science, UC Davis offers a broader range of specialized programs and research opportunities in these fields.
What are the admission requirements for UVM and UC Davis?

Both UVM and UC Davis have selective admission processes. They consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (though UC Davis is test-blind), essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. UC Davis, as a UC school, has specific course requirements for admission. It's crucial to review the specific admission requirements on each university's website and tailor your application accordingly.
How do the job opportunities after graduation compare between UVM and UC Davis?

Job opportunities after graduation depend on your field of study and career goals. UVM graduates often find opportunities in environmental science, healthcare, and business sectors in the Northeast region. UC Davis graduates have access to a wider range of industries in California, including agriculture, technology, healthcare, and government. The proximity to major metropolitan areas like Sacramento and the Bay Area provides UC Davis graduates with a competitive advantage in certain fields.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at UVM and UC Davis?

UVM generally has a lower student-to-faculty ratio than UC Davis, which can lead to smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from professors. While UC Davis's larger size means a higher student-to-faculty ratio, it also offers a wider variety of courses and research opportunities. Check the latest university statistics for the most up-to-date figures.
How do the research opportunities compare between UVM and UC Davis?

Both UVM and UC Davis offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UC Davis, as a large research university, has a greater volume of research activity across a wider range of disciplines. UVM also provides research opportunities, particularly in areas related to environmental science, health, and engineering. Students interested in research should explore the specific research programs and faculty expertise at each university.
Which university is more diverse?

UC Davis generally has a more diverse student body than UVM. California's diverse population contributes to UC Davis's multicultural environment. While UVM is working to increase diversity on its campus, it is located in a less diverse region of the country. If diversity is a significant factor in your college decision, UC Davis may be a better fit.

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