UC Davis
Davis, California
How selective is it?
UC Davis is in our Selective tier (~30-50% acceptance). A solid academic fit matters, but admission isn't a reach for students in the typical range.
Fall 2026 acceptance rate ~46%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use UC Davis in your college list
This is often a realistic target if your grades and course rigor match the school's typical entering class, which you can confirm in its Common Data Set. Popular majors, such as computer science, engineering, or nursing, can be harder to get into than the school-wide tier suggests.
Building a list across tiers? See all 47 California colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
Check the current numbers yourself
For UC Davis's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is UC Davis?+
UC Davis sits in our "Selective" tier (~30-50% acceptance). Fall 2026 acceptance rate ~46%.
Is UC Davis hard to get into?+
A solid academic fit matters, but admission isn't a reach for students in the typical range. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check UC Davis's own admissions data for the current year.
How do I find UC Davis's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "UC Davis Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is UC Davis?+
UC Davis is a public institution in Davis, California.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with UC Davis. Always confirm details with the school.