BS Environmental Science and Management at UC Davis: Fees Dates & Requirements

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science (B.S) Environmental Science and Management is a 4-year full-time undergraduate degree designed for students seeking to tackle environmental challenges using interdisciplinary approaches. The program requires 110 to 150 units depending on specialization, with compulsory coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and economics. International students pay USD 47,000 (INR 44.81 Lakhs) in annual tuition, with total annual costs of USD 71,000 (INR 67.68 Lakhs) including fees, room, and board. Fall 2027 intake applications are currently open for international students, with a typical application deadline in November 2026.

This joint program between the Department of Environmental Science & Policy and the Department of Land, Air, & Water Resources trains graduates to become environmental scientists, resource managers, and policy specialists. The six specialized tracks—Climate Change & Air Quality, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Data Science, Natural Resource Management, Soils & Biogeochemistry, and Watershed Science—allow students to customize their focus area in junior year. What sets this program apart is its emphasis on practical learning: all students complete a mandatory internship, field courses, and a senior capstone project, positioning graduates for immediate entry into the environmental workforce.

• Six specialization tracks let you tailor your studies to climate, conservation, or water systems.
• Required internship and capstone courses provide real-world experience before graduation.
• UC Davis ranks 13th globally for agriculture and environmental sciences (QS 2025).

Also Check: University of California Davis Admission Process

University of California Davis Environmental Science and Management Fees and Living Costs 2026

International undergraduates at UC Davis pay annual fees structured across tuition, ancillary charges, and mandatory insurance. The total cost for one year is USD 71,000 (INR 67.68 Lakhs), making this one of the more accessible US study destinations for Indian students when compared to private research universities.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

• UC Davis offers a flat non-resident tuition rate for all international students regardless of major or specialization.
• Health insurance is mandatory for F-1 visa holders; the university plan covers routine medical care and emergency treatment.
• Books and lab materials for upper-division environmental courses may cost more than the estimated USD 1,000 annually.
• On-campus housing is guaranteed for first-year undergraduates only; many upperclassmen rent off-campus for USD 800 to USD 1,200 per month.

Cost of Living in Davis for Environmental Science and Management Students

Cost Reality: Davis is a college town with low costs compared to coastal California. Off-campus housing is cheaper than Stanford or Berkeley, and many students work part-time on campus (20 hours/week allowed on F-1 visa) to offset living expenses. Budget USD 15,000 to USD 20,000 annually for living costs beyond tuition and fees.

Also Check: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students

University of California Davis Environmental Science and Management Admission

UC Davis admits international undergraduate students for Fall 2027 intake through the centralized UC application portal. The program is moderately selective for domestic applicants (acceptance rate ~18% overall) and maintains separate admission pools for international students. Your academic profile, English language proficiency, and extracurricular involvement in STEM or environmental work matter equally in the holistic review process.

Academic Eligibility

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements

All international undergraduate applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL (Internet-based) or IELTS Academic. UC Davis does not require SAT/ACT from international students, only English language proof. The following minimum scores apply:

• TOEFL iBT: 80 overall (minimum 20 per section); preparation time for most Indian students is 8–10 weeks.
• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 per band); this test is widely available in India and costs less than TOEFL.
• Duolingo English Test: Accepted at 105 minimum; faster and cheaper alternative, results available in 48 hours.
• Indian students often score 6.5–7.0 on IELTS with 6–8 weeks of targeted preparation focusing on academic writing.

Tip for Indian Students: IELTS Academic is more accessible in India and aligns better with British English conventions familiar to Indian schools. Aim for 7.0+ overall to strengthen your application, as UC Davis receives many international applications from English-proficient countries.

University Ranking Context

UC Davis ranks 13th globally for Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (QS World Rankings 2025) and 11th by The Times Higher Education. The university has the longest-standing agricultural science program in North America, founded in 1905. Environmental Science and Management benefits from this heritage with faculty expertise spanning soil science, water resources, climate research, and conservation biology.

University of California Davis Environmental Science and Management Application

Applications for Fall 2027 intake open through the UC application portal (UC.edu). All materials must be submitted before the international student deadline. UC Davis does not consider demonstrated financial need in admission decisions for international students, but international undergraduates are eligible to apply for a small number of merit-based scholarships and outside funding.

• WES (World Education Services) evaluation of your Indian 12th-grade transcript takes 7–10 business days; start in August to avoid delays.
• UC requires official transcripts from every secondary school attended; Indian students must obtain sealed English-language versions from their schools.
• English test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) can be submitted up to mid-December; plan to test by early December 2026 to allow retakes if needed.
• UC considers mid-year grades (your current 12th-grade marks as of January 2027) in the final holistic review.

Application Tip: Start the UC application in August, complete it by 20 November to allow buffer time before the 30 November deadline. Credentials evaluation must begin immediately after receiving your 12th-grade final marks to meet the mid-year reporting deadline.

Read More: Complete UC Davis Application Process Guide

University of California Davis Environmental Science and Management Scholarships

UC Davis offers limited merit-based scholarships for international undergraduates. The university does not award need-based financial aid to international students, but several outside scholarship schemes and departmental awards are accessible to qualified applicants. Most scholarships range from USD 2,000 to USD 8,000 per year and are renewed based on academic performance.

Scholarship Cost Offset Reality: A typical merit scholarship of USD 5,000 per year reduces your annual net cost from USD 71,000 to USD 66,000 (INR 62.88 Lakhs). Over four years, this saves INR 20 Lakhs but still requires substantial out-of-pocket expense. Many Indian families supplement scholarships with part-time work (allowed 20 hours/week on F-1) and loans from India-based financial institutions.

• UC Davis Regents Scholarship: USD 5,000–8,000 per year for top-tier academic profiles (3.8+ GPA, strong test scores).
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Awards: Department-specific scholarships for students showing environmental research potential; application required by 15 December 2026.
• International Student Scholarship: Limited slots; merit-based; priority to STEM majors like this one.
• Outside scholarships from Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, Jaiprakash Foundation, and other India-based sources often support environmental science graduates.

Scholarship Reality: Only 5–8% of international undergraduates receive scholarships above USD 3,000 per year. Expect to fund 85–90% of costs yourself through family savings, loans, and part-time work.

Check Out: UC Davis Scholarship Database for International Students

University of California Davis Environmental Science and Management Salary and Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Environmental Science and Management program pursue roles as environmental scientists, policy analysts, resource managers, and consultants in government agencies, nonprofits, and private environmental firms. Typical starting salaries range from USD 42,000 to USD 58,000 (INR 40.04 Lakhs to INR 55.22 Lakhs) depending on sector and specialization track. Senior environmental scientists and project managers with 5+ years of experience earn USD 65,000 to USD 90,000+ annually.

Source: UC Davis Career Outcomes Survey 2024; PayScale.com Environmental Science salaries for UC Davis graduates; Glassdoor.com employer salary data.

• Federal environmental scientist positions offer job security and pension benefits but lower starting salaries (USD 45,000–50,000).
• Private environmental consulting firms pay 15–25% more than nonprofits and offer faster career progression.
• Internships during college (mandatory in this program) are the primary pathway to full-time offers; 70+ percent of graduates convert internships into permanent roles.
• US federal positions require US permanent residency or citizenship, so F-1 graduates must secure visa sponsorship or transition to a green card track before applying.

ROI Reality: Total 4-year degree cost is ~INR 2.71 Crores. First-year salary of INR 45 Lakhs yields a 5–6 year payback period in India currency value. However, career growth (doubling salary by year 6–7) and US work experience make this investment competitive versus Indian postgraduate degrees costing INR 15–25 Lakhs.

Read More: US Post-Graduation Work Visa Pathways

USA Visa for Environmental Science and Management Students

F-1 student visa holders at UC Davis can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time during official breaks. Upon graduation, students are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a work permit lasting 12 months for most majors or 36 months for STEM fields like environmental science. Environmental Science and Management qualifies for the 36-month STEM OPT extension, providing substantial time to secure H-1B visa sponsorship for permanent employment.

• F-1 visa requirement: Maintain full-time enrollment (12+ units per term) and demonstrate financial capacity of ~USD 71,000/year.
• On-campus work: Library, dining, labs, and office jobs available; pay typically USD 16–18/hour, helping offset living costs.
• OPT period (36 months): Ideal for building work experience in the US and positioning yourself for H-1B sponsorship or green card pathways.
• H-1B visa: After OPT expires or during OPT, employers can sponsor you; processing takes 4–6 months. Competitive for environmental consulting and federal agencies.

Visa Reality: STEM OPT extension (36 months) is your primary advantage post-graduation. Use this time to build domain expertise and secure an employer willing to sponsor your H-1B. Without sponsorship, you must return to India after OPT expires.

Also Check: Complete US F-1 Visa and Post-Graduation Work Eligibility Guide

University of California Davis Environmental Science and Management Ranking 2026

UC Davis Environmental Science and Management benefits from the university’s exceptionally strong agriculture and environmental sciences ranking globally. The college consistently ranks in the global top 15 for agriculture, environmental science, and sustainability research, reflecting decades of research output and faculty expertise in soil, water, and climate science.

Environmental science and management programs at peer institutions (Cornell, University of Michigan, Penn State) rank similarly in global agriculture and environmental categories. UC Davis differentiates itself through its singular focus on applied environmental research and California-specific water, soil, and climate challenges, making its curriculum uniquely aligned with career opportunities in western US environmental agencies and consulting firms.

• US News ranks UC Davis #1 in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management nationally, ahead of Iowa State and Cornell.
• QS and THE place the program in the global top 15, alongside Australian, New Zealand, and European leaders in environmental science.
• The university operates over 50 research centers focused on water resources, soils, climate adaptation, and biodiversity—offering exceptional internship and thesis opportunities.

Honest Take: Your UC Davis degree carries prestige specifically in environmental science and agriculture sectors. In other fields, the university is solid but not elite. Choose this program only if environmental science genuinely excites you; prestige value is field-specific, not portable.