At $15,288/yr net price, University of California-Davis graduates earn $80,838/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $46,838/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,288 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,152 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,838/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$46,838/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,594/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,472/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,304/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,988/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,258/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | Master | $135,393 | $147,104 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $125,015 | $50,303 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $116,258 | $93,512 |
| Physics. | Doctoral | $104,749 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $98,186 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $97,959 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $87,604 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $82,440 | $12,703 |
| Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences. | Doctoral | $81,886 | $135,517 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $81,609 | $14,000 |
The Risk Factor
85.1% of students at University of California-Davis graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
UC Davis gives you a strong financial return with low risk. You leave with a median debt of $13,000, which you can cover with less than two months of the median earnings graduates pull ten years out. An 85% graduation rate and a 93% first-year retention rate mean you are likely to finish and start earning, so the degree you pay for is a degree you actually get.
Engineering and computing carry the highest payoffs here. Computer engineering and computer science both clear $80,000, and you take on roughly the same $12,700 to $14,000 in debt as students in lower-paying majors. That makes these two the clearest wins: high pay, no extra borrowing. The other engineering tracks, general, civil, and mechanical, land in the high $60,000s to low $70,000s, still solid but a step below the computing fields. UC Davis sits in Northern California with the Bay Area tech market within reach, which supports these engineering earnings.
The data only lists engineering and computing outcomes, so treat those numbers as the proven wins. UC Davis is known for agriculture, biology, and veterinary work, but earnings for those majors are not shown here, and California's cost of living can eat into a mid-range salary. Do not assume a non-engineering degree pays the same.
Your net price depends heavily on family income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $9,500 a year, and the return is easily worth it. Between $75,000 and $110,000 the price nearly doubles to about $18,000. Above $110,000 you pay $31,258 a year, close to full freight. At that top tier, a non-engineering major becomes a real gamble, and you should compare against cheaper in-state options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UC Davis worth the cost compared to other UCs?
UC Davis offers solid value with a net price of $15,288 and median earnings of $80,838 after 10 years. The low median debt of $13,000 and 85% graduation rate make it a safer investment than many schools, though earnings lag behind UC Berkeley and UCLA.
What majors at UC Davis have the best return on investment?
Health professions lead with median earnings of $135,393, followed by nursing at $125,015 and business at $116,258. Liberal arts and agricultural programs typically see lower returns, so choose carefully based on career goals.
How much debt do UC Davis graduates typically have?
UC Davis graduates have a median debt of just $13,000, well below the national average. The combination of strong financial aid and reasonable in-state tuition keeps most students from taking on crushing debt loads.
Does UC Davis provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Yes, UC Davis financial aid brings the average net price down to $15,288 per year for most students. California residents especially benefit from generous state and university aid programs that can cover most tuition costs.