UC Davis Acceptance Rate 2026: 39.3% First-Year Offer Rate, GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide
Direct answer: UC Davis offered fall 2026 first-year admission to 48,015 applicants from 122,271 applications. That equals an estimated 39.3% first-year offer rate.
UC Davis is not a low-admit private school, but it is still selective because major choice, A-G coursework, GPA strength, Personal Insight Questions and UC review factors matter.
This guide gives the answer first, then the exact details students look for: GPA range, SAT/ACT policy, A-G requirements, deadlines, PIQs, competitive majors, international notes, cost, video help and official links.
48,015 first-year offers divided by 122,271 applications.
UC Davis admissions page also shows 44.6% as the recent first-year admit-rate statistic.
Admitted first-year students’ displayed middle 50% weighted GPA range.
UC Davis does not consider SAT/ACT for admission or scholarships.
Quick navigation for UC Davis applicants
UC Davis acceptance rate 2026: the number searchers need
| Question | Official-data answer | What it means for applicants |
|---|---|---|
| UC Davis acceptance rate 2026 | About 39.3% based on 48,015 first-year offers from 122,271 applications. | UC Davis is selective, but not as ultra-low as UCLA, Berkeley or some private universities. |
| How many applied? | 122,271 fall 2026 applications. | Application volume is huge, so the UC application must be clean and specific. |
| How many were admitted? | 48,015 first-year offers for fall 2026. | Admission is possible for strong, well-matched applicants. |
| Expected enrolled class | UC Davis expected about 6,300 new first-year students. | Many admitted students choose other campuses, so offers are higher than final enrollment. |
| Older displayed admit stat | UC Davis admissions page shows 44.6% for recent first-year admission statistics. | Use the latest fall 2026 offer calculation for current planning, but know official pages may show different update dates. |
UC Davis GPA, A-G requirements, SAT and ACT policy
Minimum GPA
California residents: 3.00 or higher. Nonresidents: 3.40 or higher. These are minimums, not competitive targets.
Admitted GPA range
UC Davis displays admitted first-year middle 50% ranges of 4.00–4.26 weighted and 3.79–4.00 unweighted.
SAT/ACT answer
UC Davis does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admissions decisions or scholarship awards.
Where scores can still matter
Scores may be used after admission for placement or to meet minimum requirements, but not to boost admission review.
| A-G subject area | UC Davis requirement | Best applicant move |
|---|---|---|
| A. History / social science | 2 years | Use history/social science courses to show reading, writing and analysis strength. |
| B. English / language of instruction | 4 years | Strong writing helps PIQs and college readiness. |
| C. Mathematics | 3 years required; 4 years recommended | Take the strongest math path you can handle, especially for STEM, engineering, data or economics. |
| D. Laboratory science | 2 years required; 3 years recommended | Very important for biology, agriculture, environmental science, pre-health and engineering interests. |
| E. Language other than English | 2 years required; 3 years recommended | More years can support global, humanities, social science and international interests. |
| F. Visual and performing arts | 1 year | Do not miss this requirement; many students overlook it until late. |
| G. College-prep elective | 1 year | Choose something that supports your intended major or academic theme. |
UC Davis application deadlines for 2026 applicants
| Task | Date or window | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Start UC application | August 1 | Create the UC application early and review campus/major choices before the filing window. |
| Submit UC application | October 1–November 30 | Submit before the final day to avoid portal, payment or document errors. |
| FAFSA / CADAA opens | October 1 | Prepare financial aid early and list UC Davis school code 001313 where required. |
| Financial aid priority deadline | March 2 or March 3, depending on aid year | Check the current aid-year page. For 2026–27, UC Davis listed March 3, 2026. |
| First-year decisions | Typically first half of March / March period | Watch the email used on your UC application and check the applicant portal. |
| Statement of Intent to Register | Generally May 1 for first-year admits | Compare aid, housing, major fit and campus plans before accepting. |
UC Davis majors and college choice: where admissions gets more competitive
UC Davis has four undergraduate colleges: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. Your major choice should match your coursework, interests and activities.
| Academic path | Why it can be competitive | Best evidence to show |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering / Computer Science | High demand and strong preparation expectations. | Math rigor, physics, coding, engineering projects, robotics, competitions or problem-solving work. |
| Biological Sciences / Pre-health paths | UC Davis is strong in biology, health-related preparation and research pathways. | Lab science rigor, biology/chemistry strength, research curiosity, volunteering or health-related experience. |
| Agriculture / Environmental Sciences | UC Davis has major strength in agriculture, environment, animal science and sustainability. | Science coursework, environmental projects, agriculture exposure, community work or outdoor research interests. |
| Letters and Science | Broad options can still be competitive in popular majors. | Writing, analysis, math/social science preparation, intellectual direction and PIQ clarity. |
| Undeclared or unclear path | Can look less focused if the rest of the application is vague. | Use PIQs and activities to show academic curiosity and a reasonable exploration plan. |
UC Davis Personal Insight Questions: what actually matters
How many PIQs?
First-year UC applicants answer 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions. Each response has a 350-word maximum.
Do prompt choices matter?
UC says there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing particular prompts. Pick the prompts that let you show the strongest evidence.
What should PIQs show?
Impact, growth, leadership, talent, academic curiosity, problem-solving, responsibility, resilience and contribution.
What should you avoid?
Generic praise for UC Davis, repeated résumé lines, vague passion claims and essays that do not show what you actually did.
UC Davis admissions video guide
Watch this UC Davis admissions video, then use the action box below to improve your application instead of just reading statistics.
How to apply to UC Davis: scan-first checklist
International applicants: UC Davis requirements to check early
If you studied in the U.S. fewer than three years and received instruction in a language other than English, UC Davis says you must demonstrate English proficiency.
UC Davis lists options including specific AP/IB exams, transferable college coursework, TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test.
International students need a valid passport and appropriate F-1 or J-1 visa process after admission.
Start transcripts, grading context, English proof and financial documents early because international paperwork can take longer.
UC Davis cost and financial aid: what applicants should know
| Cost / aid item | Official 2026–27 detail | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| California resident tuition | UC Davis affordability page lists $15,588 tuition for UC Davis California residents. | Compare total cost, not tuition alone. |
| Out-of-state tuition | Listed as $54,858 for UC Davis out-of-state students. | Budget carefully because nonresident cost is much higher. |
| Campus/student fees | Listed as $2,490. | Add fees to tuition before comparing colleges. |
| Housing and food | Listed as $22,252. | Living cost is a major part of the real budget. |
| Books and supplies | Listed as $1,205. | Plan for materials even if they are not always billed directly. |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA or CADAA; school code 001313. | Submit by the priority deadline and respond to aid requests quickly. |
Common mistakes that hurt UC Davis applicants
- Only looking at the 39.3% rate: Major choice and GPA strength can change your real competitiveness.
- Missing A-G details: Requirements must be completed correctly.
- Trying to use SAT/ACT as an advantage: UC Davis does not consider those scores for admission or scholarships.
- Writing résumé-style PIQs: PIQs need reflection and evidence, not just activity lists.
- Choosing an unrealistic major: Competitive majors need aligned coursework and activities.
- Waiting until Nov. 30: Last-day technical issues can create stress.
- Ignoring financial aid deadlines: Missing FAFSA/CADAA priority dates can affect aid consideration.
- International document delay: English proof, visas and transcripts need early planning.
Official UC Davis links and sources
The guide above includes the key details directly. Use these official pages to confirm the latest rules before submitting.
Official source for 48,015 first-year offers and 122,271 applications.
Official page with GPA ranges and admit-rate statistics.
A-G subjects, GPA minimums and SAT/ACT policy.
Application start, filing window and aid timing.
UC application, scholarships, late appeal and advisor details.
English proficiency, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and visa planning.
FAQs about UC Davis acceptance rate 2026
What is the UC Davis acceptance rate for 2026?
UC Davis offered first-year admission to 48,015 applicants from 122,271 fall 2026 applications, which equals an estimated 39.3% first-year offer rate.
How many students applied to UC Davis for fall 2026?
UC Davis reported 122,271 applications for fall 2026, setting another application record.
How many first-year students did UC Davis admit for fall 2026?
UC Davis extended first-year admission offers to 48,015 applicants and expected to enroll about 6,300 new first-year students.
What GPA do you need for UC Davis?
The minimum is 3.00 for California residents and 3.40 for nonresidents, but admitted students are usually stronger. UC Davis displays a 4.00–4.26 weighted GPA middle 50% range for admitted first-year students.
Does UC Davis consider SAT or ACT scores?
No. UC Davis no longer considers SAT or ACT scores for admissions decisions or scholarship awards.
When is the UC Davis application deadline?
The UC application opens August 1 and the filing period is October 1 through November 30.
Does UC Davis use the Common App?
No. UC Davis uses the University of California application, which lets students apply to multiple UC campuses with one application.
How many UC Personal Insight Questions are required?
First-year applicants answer four of eight Personal Insight Questions, and each response has a maximum of 350 words.
Is UC Davis harder for engineering or biology?
Engineering, computer science, biological sciences and other high-demand paths can be more competitive. Applicants should show strong coursework, major fit and relevant activities.
How can I improve my UC Davis application?
Complete A-G courses, exceed minimum GPA when possible, choose a well-matched major, write specific PIQs, show impact in activities, submit the UC application on time and file financial aid forms early.