Does anyone remember the scene in Ladybird when the protagonist gets into UC Davis and, well, let’s just say, is less than pleased with this outcome? This scene, while humorous, highlights a common misconception about UC Davis. As her family graciously reminds her during this tense moment, UC Davis is nothing to scoff at. In fact, it’s one of the foremost public institutions in California!

The University of California system is perhaps the world’s most renowned public university system, and UC Davis is no exception to this reputation for excellence. However, not all UC schools are made equal when it comes to admissions competitiveness. At the University of California, Los Angeles, for example, less than 10% of applicants have been admitted during the most recent admissions cycles, setting a new record for selectivity within the UC system. UC Davis, on the other hand, has remained moderately competitive over the last decade, with acceptance rates idling around the 42% mark even as other schools record historic tallies. Considering UC Davis is a school that’s ranked 9th among public schools by US News, this exception to the rule is quite noteworthy.

The acceptance rate at Davis is excellent news for those students who want to have a UC experience but are unsure of the likelihood of earning admission to UCLA or UC Berkeley. Below is a breakdown detailing the overall acceptance rate at UC Davis over the last decade:

UC Davis Acceptance Rate Over Ten Years

UC Davis Class Year	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029	Not Yet Released
Class of 2028	41.63%
Class of 2027	37.34%
Class of 2026	49.00%
Class of 2025	46.35%
Class of 2024	38.87%
Class of 2023	41.07%
Class of 2022	43.36%
Class of 2021	42.28%
Class of 2020	37.95%
Class of 2019	40.37%
Class of 2018	45.21%

UC Davis’ acceptance rate has defied major trends seen across elite institutions in the United States. It has remained relatively stable over the last several admissions cycles, a fact that should reassure prospective applicants that not all elite schools are out of reach. Compared with its sister institutions like Berkeley and UCLA, this makes Davis somewhat of an anomaly. Across the board, it’s harder to get into a top school today than it was ten years ago, and the same is true of ten years before that and ten years before that. Davis defies this trend, and ambitious high schoolers should take note. 

What the Data Tells Us About UC Davis Acceptance Rates

While the school’s lowest ever acceptance rate was recorded for the Class of 2027, at 37.34%, a mere year earlier, Davis had the highest acceptance rate on record — 49%! Keep in mind that the Class of 2026 at other schools, such as at most of the Ivy League institutions, had the lowest acceptance rates ever. It just goes to show that not all schools succumb to the same trends. 

While pandemic-related shifts in the college admissions landscape are partly to blame for some of these anomalies in recent years, our famously accurate Ivy Coach crystal ball predicts that when the data eventually arrives for the Class of 2029, the acceptance rate will remain in the moderately competitive range at UC Davis. 

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with UC Davis Acceptance

UC Davis leads the nation when it comes to agricultural research and sustainability. This unique focus offers students with their sights set on careers in these fields an exciting and promising future. While earning admission to UC Davis is not as difficult as at some of its elite counterparts, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers will help your child craft a singular admissions hook that highlights the many ways they will take advantage of the unique resources and opportunities available on campus. 

If you would like to optimize your child’s odds of admission to UC Davis, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form. We’ll then be in touch to outline our services.