University of California-Davis
Davis, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$17,026
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$10,006
$30k - $48k
$11,598
$48k - $75k
$14,193
$75k - $110k
$18,728
$110k+
$30,357
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$14,858
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$44,930
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$17,692
Books and Supplies
$1,221
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
82%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
36%
Average Aid Per Year
$18,546
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
36%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,016
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$8,775
Students receiving state aid
46%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$11,168
Students receiving federal aid
35%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,016
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$332,414,144
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$16,892,061

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
34%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,892
Students receiving federal loans
32%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,213
Average Other Loans Per Year
$3,387
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$11,334
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$124

What Students Are Saying

I think it is a bang for your buck, your given great professors to learn from, cool volunteer opportunities, great events such as Earth Day Festival and the Farmer's Market every Sat. and Wed., which have really amazing pastries and fruit!
Vianey from rancho cucamonga, CA
I believe that the cost of tuition at UC Davis is worth every penny. The degree you earn from UC Davis is a very prestigious achievement and can take you almost anywhere in your future. The school also has a plethora of majors to choose from should you decide to change majors. The campus has its very own internship and career center that is very useful in helping students find local internships, jobs, and research opportunities. The dining commons are definitely worth the money because they’re quality smorgasbords, and the food and services are well above average. The new fitness center, the ARC (Activities Recreation Center), is a nicer work out facility than the fitness center I’ve worked at for three years now, and it comes included with the price of tuition rather than costing 92 dollars per month like my hometown gym.
I’ve been very impressed with the overall quality of the professors, the food, the gym, the library, and the services offered by the school, and I would say that it’s worth all the somewhat expensive cost.
Kevin from Livermore, CA
College is expensive, but I think that in terms of tuition and the type of education you get at UC Davis, it is definitely worth it. You get some of the most knowledgeable professionals in each field, teaching YOU directly. Unlike some Ivy League or more elite schools, the professors themselves teach and will talk to YOU personally. You don't get shoved off onto teacher's assistants or grad students. Unfortunately, the school does try to rip you off sometimes. For example, there are no book lists and you have to physically go into the campus bookstore to find out what texts you will need, but you can always write down the titles then find them cheaper elsewhere. Overall, though, there are dozens of ways to cut costs and the high tuition is completely worth it, if not for the excellent professors and teaching, than for the experience as a whole.
Jennifer from Oceanside, CA
I know that getting into college is getting more and more difficult, but you cannot get it any better than the UC schools. They are all excellent campuses with exemplary professors, programs, and opportunities. I would encourage everyone to apply to the UC system because your chances of getting into at least one of them are great, and you will get an amazing education for a reasonable tuition cost.
K from Chino Hills, CA
Yes, yes, yes!
Michelle from San Jose, CA
I was able to get a lot of financial aid, almost a full scholarship for the 2011-2012 year. Especially if your family's income is low-middle class to low, Davis does it's best to keep you from spending $10,000 out of pocket which means no emptying savings or taking private bank loans. They have the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan which provided me with and extra $5,000. Look it up. It's amazing.
The other private school I wanted to attend asked me to take $10,000 out of various federal loans and and an additional $25,000. Davis offers the same great opportunities plus some since it's bigger at a cheaper school. I definitely feel grateful I had the option of picking this one instead.

The financial package is slightly overestimated so if you have all your aid completely covered, usually at the end there's still $2000-5000 left for spending on sweatshirts, athletics, summer courses, etc. Usually students will save this up to pay back their loans or they'll live extravagantly and spend it all throughout the year.
HONG from San Jose, CA
This gets a lower rating because of all the budget cuts and tuition raising. But other than that, this college is a great place to go to school because of the diverse cultures, myriads of different clubs, a lot of interesting classes to choose from, and the friendly people that go here.
Billy from San Francisco, CA
Davis may be an expensive school but it is only because there is so much to offer, by attending Davis you are receiving the best that Davis has to offer. There are ways to make the school cheaper by getting on-campus jobs, scholarships or applying for positions such as RA, Barn Supervisors, and other positions. The education will be worth what you will be paying, education and knowledge is priceless it is something that will follow you throughout your life but money is a material item which will come and go. The experience will be unforgettable and if money is a problem Davis is able to work something out wether it be in student loans or work-study jobs. The experience is worth every penny, this experience is one which I don't regret paying and working for. If I spent my money on insignificant material items I would only have regrets. This is one life, one education and I don't regret my choice to attend UC Davis.
Ellie from Aguanga, CA
UC Davis students enjoy many free services like yearly memberships to the ARC, a huge gym on campus, free service for the Uni Trans and YoloBus, bus services that run around and through Davis, access to the Student Health and Wellness Center, access to the Davis Library, and, if credited pre-purchased swipes, access to Dining Commons in the dorms across campus. I find that my money put into paying for education here is well used and is brought back to me in forms that I can utilize.
Brianna from San Diego, CA
Despite our fee increase, it's really worth it. Not only do you get top-rate professors, you also get a gym, recreation, and useful resources for studying, as well as tutoring and even free printing! You definitely get what you pay for, and even more.
Helmy from Oceanside, CA