CSULB vs UC Davis: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for California State University-Long Beach and University of California-Davis, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
CSULB vs UC Davis at a glance
CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $9,426 at CSULB and $14,318 at UC Davis. Six-year graduation rates are 70.3% and 85.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8%, so UC Davis is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $9,426 a year at CSULB and $14,318 at UC Davis; CSULB costs $4,892 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $6,443 at CSULB and $8,770 at UC Davis.
- 70.3% of students graduate within six years at CSULB, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $69,554 for CSULB and $86,999 for UC Davis; UC Davis is $17,445 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,195 at CSULB and $12,038 at UC Davis.
- CSULB enrolls 35,924 students (large city) and UC Davis 32,253 (small suburb).
Side by side
CSULB and UC Davis in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | CSULB | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 46.3% | 41.8% |
| Applicants | 67,122 | 87,120 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $9,426 | $14,318 |
| Tuition, in state | $8,338 | $17,346 |
| Tuition, out of state | $21,658 | $54,948 |
| Cost of attendance | $22,926 | $43,191 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $6,443 | $8,770 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,576 | $9,042 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $7,576 | $11,562 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,462 | $15,645 |
| Over $110,000 | $19,919 | $32,902 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 70.3% | 85.7% |
| First-year retention | 86.8% | 92.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $69,554 | $86,999 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,195 | $12,038 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $161 | $137 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 35,924 | 32,253 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Small |
| Location | Long Beach, CA | Davis, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
CSULB reports 86 bachelor's programs and UC Davis 93; 51 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about CSULB vs UC Davis
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into CSULB or UC Davis?
UC Davis is harder to get into by acceptance rate: CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UC Davis admits 41.8%.
Which is cheaper, CSULB or UC Davis?
CSULB has the lower average net price after grants: $9,426 a year at CSULB against $14,318 at UC Davis. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $6,443 and $8,770. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do CSULB or UC Davis graduates earn more?
UC Davis graduates earn more at the median: $69,554 ten years after entry for CSULB and $86,999 for UC Davis. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,195 and $12,038.
Which has a higher graduation rate, CSULB or UC Davis?
UC Davis does: 70.3% of CSULB students graduate within six years, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
How big are CSULB and UC Davis?
CSULB has 35,924 students in Long Beach, CA and UC Davis has 32,253 students in Davis, CA.