Head-to-head · 2026
University of California-Davis vs University of California-Santa Barbara
Compare average net price ($14,741 at University of California-Davis; $16,109 at University of California-Santa Barbara), ROI score (13.71 vs 11.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($80,838 vs $74,915), and admissions selectivity (41.8% acceptance at University of California-Davis; 33% at University of California-Santa Barbara) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of California-Davis | University of California-Santa Barbara |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.71 ✓ | 11.63 |
| Avg net price | $14,741 ✓ | $16,109 |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,964 ✓ | $64,436 |
| In-state tuition | $16,774 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $50,974 | $50,614 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $80,838 ✓ | $74,915 |
| Acceptance rate | 41.8% | 33% |
| Graduation rate | 85.7% ✓ | 83% |
| Retention rate | 92.8% | 93% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,000 ✓ | $13,993 |
| Enrollment | 32,253 | 23,113 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of California-Davis | University of California-Santa Barbara |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,211 ✓ | $9,231 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,966 ✓ | $9,992 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,951 ✓ | $12,588 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,294 ✓ | $17,136 |
| Family income $110k+ | $31,272 ✓ | $31,863 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of California-Davis | University of California-Santa Barbara |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| Economics | 5.1% | 8.7% |
| Sociology | 2.5% | 8.8% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.4% | 7.6% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 7.9% | 1.1% |
| Biology, General | 3.5% | 4.9% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 2.1% | 5.2% |
| Computer Science | 4.1% | 2.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of California-Davis reports the lower average net price by $1,368 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,472 difference over four years ($58,964 vs $64,436).
University of California-Davis reports $5,923 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($80,838 vs $74,915). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.8% at University of California-Davis and 93% at University of California-Santa Barbara. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $13,993, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of California-Davis vs University of California-Santa Barbara, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of California-Davis is cheaper — average net price $14,741 per year vs $16,109 at University of California-Santa Barbara. The annual difference of $1,368 adds up to about $5,472 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of California-Davis reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $80,838 vs $74,915 at University of California-Santa Barbara. The gap in the federal data is $5,923. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of California-Santa Barbara is more selective at 33% acceptance vs 41.8% at University of California-Davis.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.