Princton vs UC Davis
Princeton University and University of California-Davis, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Princeton, an Ivy League university located in New Jersey, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 5.8%, while UC Davis, situated in California's Central Valley, is more accessible with an acceptance rate of 41.4%. Princeton's student body is smaller and more diverse, with 5,261 undergraduates representing 50 states and 78 countries, compared to UC Davis's larger and more regionally diverse student body of 31,583 undergraduates, primarily from California. Both universities excel in academics, with Princeton known for its strengths in the humanities and social sciences, while UC Davis is renowned for its programs in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Princeton University |
![]() University of California-Davis |
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Overview |
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Location | Princeton, New Jersey | Davis, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.4% | 48.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
|
SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 56.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 35.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 37,601 | 87,120 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,647 | 42,475 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,290 | 7,482 |
Yield rate | 78.3% | 17.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,490 |
In state:
$32,584
Out of state:
$62,338
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Average net price | $20,908 | $16,640 |
Tuition | $56,010 |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,690
Meal plan:
$7,490
|
$17,018 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
65.0%
Average amount $47,136 |
59.0%
Average amount $17,628 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
2.0%
Average amount $5,278 |
23.0%
Average amount $4,043 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $8,938 |
11.0%
Average amount $3,360 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,321
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
31,657
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
Graduate students |
3,157
Men 58.3% Women 41.7% |
8,393
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 82.6% | 7.5% |
International students | 22.8% | 17.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,151 | 11,142 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New Jersey California New York Pennsylvania Texas | California Washington Illinois Texas Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 5:1 | 21:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 97.6% | 86.9% |
Dropout rate | 1.9% | 11.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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