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University of Washington is a highly reputed public research institution located in Seattle, Washington in the Seattle metropolitan region. It is a big university with about 30,000 undergraduate students and total enrollment of over 51,000. Admissions is moderately competitive as the acceptance rate at University of Washington is about 43%. Areas of study are Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. Six-year graduation rate is 84%, and the median starting salary of UW graduates is around INR 74,70,000 (ten years after graduation, converted from $90,000 median earnings).
University of California – Davis is a highly reputed public university in Davis, California in the Sacramento metropolitan region. It's a big school with an undergraduate population of around 31,000 students, and a student body of around 39,000. Admissions are fairly competitive since UC Davis has an acceptance rate of about 42%. Popular majors include Biological Sciences, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Psychology, and Economics. The graduation rate is 87% within six years, and UC Davis alumni start with a median salary of about INR 54,10,000 (based on $65,200 median earnings a decade after graduation).
| University of Washington | University of California | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.2 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 76 QS World University 2025 # 7 US News 2024 # 25 Times Higher Education 2024 | # 64 Times Higher Education 2026 # 114 QS World University 2026 # 60 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 25 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 12 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024 # 13 for Medicine by US News 2024 | # 34 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 113 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 50 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -77 PG Programs -56 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -85 PG Programs -61 Doctorate Programs -3 |
| Acceptance Rate | 0.0 % | 42.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-120 IELTS-7 TOEFL-92 | IELTS-7 SAT-1130 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 35166 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 31473 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 41196 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 26544 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 36835 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Employability Ranking- #60 (QS); 93% engineering graduates placed within first placement cycle; Average salary- 78,172 USD; Top recruiters: The Boeing Company, University of Washington, Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp, Expedia Inc.; Highest paying degrees: Doctorate (118,000 USD), Ph.D. (112,000 USD), MBA(111,000 USD), Masters in Science (93,000 USD), BBA (85,000 USD). | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $123,000 Doctorate: $97,000 Bachelor of Science: $85,000 Masters in Science: $75,000 Bachelor of Arts: $67,000 |
| application requirements | Coallition Essay | Submit official transcripts of previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 8 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 9 reviews |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Washington | University of California |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1861 | 1908 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 9.5:1 | 14:1 |
| Male:Female | 43% Male, 0% Female | 43% Male, 57% Female |
| Location Facts | Bordered by two lakes of Seattle, Cascade Range view on East, Olympic Mountain view on West, and Red square is the heart of campus. The university has been relocated twice in the past (1876 and 19th century). The main campus lies shores of Portage and Union Bays. | University's main campus sits at the center of Davis in Northern California’s central valley. UC Davis Health, the region’s only academic health center, is on its Sacramento campus only 20 minutes from Davis. Other facilities are spread across the region. The UC Davis Part-Time MBA Program has one location in San Ramon. |
| Library | Largest collection in Pacific Northwest | For generations of Aggies, the library is the academic heart of UC Davis — home to world-class collections, a place to collaborate and connect, and a vital source of knowledge that supports research and student success across the university. At the same time, the library is helping UC Davis transform the way scholars and learners access and engage with information, through the creation of innovative programs and resources that harness today’s rapid advancements in technology, data science and informatics. |
| Campus Life | Over 60 fraternities and sororities | Davis has everything you would expect from a large university and a lot of experiences that will surprise you. UC Davis provides a great education to its students, but it also provide an amazing home! The campus is alive with activity and offers many ways to socialize, exercise, grab a bite or just relax. There are more than 800 student organizations and clubs at the campus for the students. Various events are held on the campus for the students every week. Students can enjoy various facilities like sports, gymming, health and wellnes etc. University also has various health programs and counselling facilities for the students. |
| Hostel | - | #Off campus (with family) - $10907 #On campus - $16136 #Off campus (not with family) - $9792 |
| Famous Alumni | Four Nobel laureates, eight Pulitzer prize winners. | Jackie Speier (lawyer and politician) Martin Yan (Chef) Tracy Cladwell Dyson (NASA astronaut) Ken O’ Brien (footballplayer) |
| City Life | From intramural clubs to adventure activities, nature abound city has a lot to offer. Various national parks, Heritage monuments | Davis is a vibrant college town of about 68,000 people with a student-friendly downtown right across the street from the university. The city of Davis is renowned for being one of America’s true college towns. Small-town safety and ease blend with big-city amenities like sophisticated restaurants, theaters and entertainment. The centralized, walkable downtown offers international cuisine, delightful shops and inspiring entertainment and social activities. As an ethnically and culturally diverse campus and community, Davis welcomes international travelers and students with open arms. And Davis is full of events and activities that celebrate this diversity. Unlike other small towns that "go to sleep" at 9 p.m., Davis remains lively into the late hours of the night. Students and the young at heart enjoy live music and dancing at a number of Davis night clubs, most of which are located within walking distance from the UC Davis campus. Davis is a very active community and residents and visitors can also be found jogging, inline skating, swimming, golfing, rock climbing, exercising at fitness clubs, bowling, and playing tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer and racquetball at facilities on and off campus. |
| Weather |
University of Washington vs University of California – Davis
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both the University of California – Davis (UC Davis) and the University of Washington (UW) are top public research universities, with UW comparatively ranked higher in international systems. UW is ranked around 81st in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and UC Davis is ranked nearer 114th. Times Higher Education ranks UW #25, and UC Davis #62, indicating UW's greater international research reach and influence.
UW is strong in subject areas of Computer Science, Medicine, Public Health, and Environmental Science, and ranks in the top 25 in the world. UC Davis is strong in Agricultural Sciences (#1 in the world), Veterinary Medicine, Biological Sciences, and Environmental Policy, and is ranked in the top tier in life sciences and sustainability. UW's cross-disciplinary research and tech accessibility set it apart in terms of innovation, whereas UC Davis is strong in ecological and life science fields.
General Information
University of Washington, established in 1861, is situated in Seattle, Washington, a key tech and cultural center. It has a total enrollment of around 55,620, comprising 30,000 undergraduates. University of California – Davis, founded in 1905, is situated in Davis, California, a college town adjacent to Sacramento, with a total student enrollment of around 39,707, of whom 31,000 are undergraduates.
UW provides an urban, research-intensive campus with a high level of industry and innovation connectivity. UC Davis features a large, sustainability-oriented campus with an inclusive academic environment and a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both universities have moderately competitive admissions. UW's acceptance rate is approximately 43%, and UC Davis's rate is a bit lower at 42%. UW students usually score SAT scores of 1200–1453 and ACT scores of 27–33, and UC Davis averages 1160–1400 SAT and 25–33 ACT.
The institutions are test-blind, so standardized test scores are not used in admission. UW practices holistic review and academic quality, particularly in STEM and health sciences. UC Davis is concerned with leadership, sustainability, and community involvement throughout its pool of applicants.
Research Impact & Facilities
UW's research facilities comprise the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, UW Medicine, and the Clean Energy Institute, with more than $1.5 billion in yearly research funding. It is among the leading U.S. institutions for federal research grants and innovation productivity.
UC Davis has its own specialized institutes such as the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, Bodega Marine Laboratory, and the John Muir Institute of the Environment, and it receives $1.04 billion in research funding. It is a leader in agriculture, climate science, and veterinary medicine, and houses interdisciplinary collaboration across its 10 colleges and schools.
Cost & Financial Aid
The two universities are public institutions that provide financial assistance. UW in-state tuition is approximately $11,524 and out-of-state tuition is $40,878, with a net average of $11,023. UC Davis in-state tuition is $11,834, and out-of-state tuition is $42,611, but has a higher net average of $17,315.
UC Davis provides higher average grants ($21,258) than UW ($14,390), and assists a larger proportion of students with aid (51% vs. 43%). UW's urban campus boosts living expenses marginally, while UC Davis's suburban campus provides a more affordable residential experience.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UW alumni have a median income of $65,800 at ten years post-graduation, with excellent placement in tech, healthcare, engineering, and public policy. Preeminent employers include Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, bolstered by Seattle's thriving employment market and UW's large alumni network.
UC Davis graduates have a median salary of $65,200, with areas of strength in agriculture, environmental consulting, healthcare, and education. Recruiters such as Genentech, USDA, Kaiser Permanente, and Intel actively seek out Davis grads, particularly from its life sciences and sustainability tracks.
