UC Riverside vs UC Davis

Nestled in the heart of California, University of California-Riverside (UCR) and University of California-Davis (UCD) stand as two distinct academic powerhouses, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share the UC system's commitment to excellence, they differ in several key aspects. UCR boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. UCD, on the other hand, enjoys a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating its strong academic support and resources. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student body demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of California-Davis	University of California-Riverside
Overview
Location	Davis, California	Riverside, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	88.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	65.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	87,120	52,672
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	34,437
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	5,203
Yield rate	17.6%	15.1%
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: $32,312 Out of state: $62,066
Average net price	$16,640	$13,502
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	$17,018	$16,600
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	78.0% Average amount $18,676
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	28.0% Average amount $4,703
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	2.0% Average amount $8,151

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	22,868 Men 47.0% Women 53.0%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	3,979 Men 53.8% Women 46.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.5%	0.8%
International students	17.0%	8.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,142	8,597
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	California Nevada Florida Arizona New Mexico

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Business Engineering Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	24:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	76.5%
Dropout rate	11.8%	6.2%
Transferred out	N/A	16.4%
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	Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $85,748 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,571 Year 2: $69,617 Year 3: $84,080 Education, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,838 Year 3: $81,740 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,399 Year 2: $66,076 Year 3: $80,825 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,188 Year 2: $59,912 Year 3: $68,240 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,114 Year 2: $60,320 Year 3: $67,946 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,484 Year 2: $49,464 Year 3: $66,365 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,049 Year 2: $58,568 Year 3: $64,438 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,664 Year 2: $49,214 Year 3: $63,844 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,269 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $59,823

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UC Riverside (UCR) and UC Davis (UCD)?

UC Riverside and UC Davis, while both excellent UC schools, cater to different academic and social environments. UC Davis is generally considered more academically prestigious and is renowned for its agricultural and biological sciences programs. It has a larger campus and student body, offering a wider range of programs and research opportunities. UC Riverside, on the other hand, is known for its diverse student body and commitment to social mobility. It's strong in areas like entomology, creative writing, and public policy, and offers a more intimate campus feel. Davis tends to be more competitive for admissions overall.
Which school is better for students interested in agriculture and related fields?

UC Davis is the clear leader in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and related biological sciences. It has a world-renowned College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and offers extensive research opportunities in these areas. While UCR has some programs related to agriculture, Davis's reputation and resources in this field are unmatched.
How do the campuses and surrounding cities compare?

UC Davis is located in the city of Davis, a classic college town known for its bike-friendly atmosphere and strong community ties. The campus is large and sprawling, with a more rural feel. UC Riverside is located in the city of Riverside, a larger and more diverse city in Southern California. The campus is smaller and more compact, with easier access to the amenities of a major metropolitan area like Los Angeles.
What are the admission requirements and acceptance rates for UCR and UCD?

Both UCR and UCD require a strong academic record, including a competitive GPA and standardized test scores (though UC schools are currently test-blind). However, UC Davis generally has a lower acceptance rate than UC Riverside, making it more competitive to get into. You should check the most recent data on the UC application website for the most up-to-date information on admission requirements and acceptance rates for each school.
How do the costs of attending UCR and UCD compare?

The cost of attendance for both UCR and UCD is relatively similar for in-state students, as they are both part of the University of California system. Out-of-state tuition will be the same. The main difference in cost will likely come down to living expenses, which can vary depending on your housing choices and lifestyle. Riverside might offer slightly lower living costs compared to Davis, but this can fluctuate.
Which school is better for students interested in STEM fields outside of agriculture?

Both UCR and UCD offer strong STEM programs. UC Davis has a broader range of highly ranked STEM programs, particularly in engineering and biological sciences. UCR is also strong in STEM, with notable programs in computer science, engineering, and mathematics. The 'better' choice depends on the specific STEM field you're interested in and the specific research opportunities you're seeking.
How do the student demographics and campus culture differ?

UC Riverside is known for its highly diverse student body and its commitment to serving first-generation college students. The campus culture is generally considered to be more close-knit and supportive. UC Davis also has a diverse student body, but it tends to be less diverse than UCR. The campus culture at Davis is often described as more academically focused and research-oriented.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of UCR and UCD?

Graduates from both UCR and UCD have strong career prospects. UC Davis graduates often find employment in agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, and healthcare. UC Riverside graduates find opportunities in a wider range of fields, including technology, business, education, and public service. The specific career prospects will depend on your major and the skills you develop during your time at each university. Davis's proximity to Sacramento can be beneficial for careers in government and policy.
Does location play a role in choosing between UCR and UCD?

Yes, location is a significant factor. UC Davis offers a classic college town experience, ideal for students who prefer a quieter, more focused environment. Its proximity to Sacramento provides access to state government and related opportunities. UC Riverside, located in Southern California, offers access to a larger metropolitan area with diverse cultural and entertainment options. Consider which environment best suits your personal preferences and career goals.
Are there any specific programs or departments where one school clearly excels over the other?

Yes. UC Davis is undeniably superior in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and related fields. UC Riverside is particularly strong in entomology, creative writing, and public policy. If you're passionate about these specific areas, the choice becomes clearer. Research the specific departments and faculty at each school to see which aligns best with your academic interests.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.