UC Davis vs San Diego State University: A Data-Driven Comparison
Both universities offer similar admission difficulty, with UC Davis accepting 37% of applicants compared to San Diego State's 39% acceptance rate. However, they differ significantly in cost structure and outcomes.
Cost and Value: San Diego State provides substantial savings with in-state tuition of $8,290 versus UC Davis's $15,247. Out-of-state students pay $20,170 at SDSU compared to $46,024 at Davis. Despite lower costs, both schools maintain similar net prices around $15,000-16,000 after financial aid.
Academic Environment: UC Davis offers a stronger academic foundation with an 85% six-year graduation rate and 93% retention rate, compared to SDSU's 78% graduation rate and 90% retention. Both maintain similar student-faculty ratios of 21-22:1, suggesting comparable class sizes.
Long-term Outcomes: UC Davis graduates earn significantly more, with median 10-year earnings of $80,838 versus $64,909 at SDSU. Davis graduates also carry less debt ($13,000 vs $15,000), creating better financial positioning post-graduation.
Campus Experience: Both universities field NCAA Division I athletics programs. UC Davis's smaller town setting in Davis contrasts with SDSU's urban San Diego location, offering different lifestyle experiences.
Academic Strengths: UC Davis excels in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and biological research, while SDSU is known for business, engineering, and communications programs.
Students seeking research opportunities and higher earning potential should consider UC Davis, while those prioritizing affordability and urban campus life may find San Diego State more appealing.
Both universities offer similar admission difficulty, with UC Davis accepting 37% of applicants compared to San Diego State's 39% acceptance rate. However, they differ significantly in cost structure and outcomes.
Cost and Value: San Diego State provides substantial savings with in-state tuition of $8,290 versus UC Davis's $15,247. Out-of-state students pay $20,170 at SDSU compared to $46,024 at Davis. Despite lower costs, both schools maintain similar net prices around $15,000-16,000 after financial aid.
Academic Environment: UC Davis offers a stronger academic foundation with an 85% six-year graduation rate and 93% retention rate, compared to SDSU's 78% graduation rate and 90% retention. Both maintain similar student-faculty ratios of 21-22:1, suggesting comparable class sizes.
Long-term Outcomes: UC Davis graduates earn significantly more, with median 10-year earnings of $80,838 versus $64,909 at SDSU. Davis graduates also carry less debt ($13,000 vs $15,000), creating better financial positioning post-graduation.
Campus Experience: Both universities field NCAA Division I athletics programs. UC Davis's smaller town setting in Davis contrasts with SDSU's urban San Diego location, offering different lifestyle experiences.
Academic Strengths: UC Davis excels in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and biological research, while SDSU is known for business, engineering, and communications programs.
Students seeking research opportunities and higher earning potential should consider UC Davis, while those prioritizing affordability and urban campus life may find San Diego State more appealing.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| University of California-Davis | San Diego State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 37.3% | 39.3% |
| Enrollment | 31,777 | 33,654 |
| In-State Tuition | $15,247 | $8,290 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $46,024 | $20,170 |
| Net Price | $15,288 | $16,174 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.1% | 78.3% |
| Retention Rate | 93.4% | 90.3% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $80,838 | $64,909 |
| Median Debt | $13,000 | $15,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| University of California-Davis | San Diego State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Engineering. | $82,440 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $87,377 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $81,609 | Construction Engineering Technologies. | $72,231 |
| Engineering, General. | $70,370 | Computer Engineering. | $70,456 |
| Civil Engineering. | $67,516 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $69,757 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $67,324 | Computer Science. | $66,318 |