UC Davis affordability
UC Davis costs much less than comparable private universities for the same world-class education. UC Davis proudly enrolls students from all income levels, despite increases in fees and other costs. As published in the 2025-26 IPEDS data collection, 36% of UC Davis undergraduates received a Pell Grant, as compared to 20% at the private Northern California University used in the comparison table below.
Blue and Gold is the University of California's commitment to offering financial aid that greatly benefits all California students and provides cost predictability to all undergraduate students with a family income of up to $100,000 and total assets/investments of less than $500,000.
2026-27 Estimated Cost of Attendance at UC Davis Compared to a Major Private University in Northern California
Budget item | UC Davis California resident | UC Davis out-of-state student | Private Northern California university* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $15,588 | $54,858 | $67,731 |
| Campus/Student fees | $2,490 | $2,490 | $2,610 |
| Health insurance | $3,996 | $3,996 | $7,128 (est) |
| Document fee | $150 | $150 | $250 |
| Books and supplies | $1,205 | $1,205 | $855 |
| Housing and food | $22,252 | $22,252 | $22,944 |
| Personal expenses | $2,656 | $2,656 | $3,405 |
| Transportation | $672 | $672 | Varies** |
| Total | $49,009 | $88,279 | $104,923 |
UC Davis student budgets are determined using a combination of known institutional expenses. These figures are obtained using a systemwide Cost of Attendance Survey, or COAS, conducted every three years, which provides the most comprehensive data available for non-fee expenses anticipated for UC undergraduates. The survey provides a standardized basis for calculating student budgets at each campus that reflects local economic conditions and student spending patterns.
*Source: Stanford University Financial Aid Undergraduate Student Budget
** Transportation costs vary at the comparison campus and, therefore, are not included in their published total expenses.