BS Human Development at UC Davis: Fees Dates & Requirements

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development is a four-year undergraduate degree designed for international students interested in understanding child development, family dynamics, and human behaviour across the lifespan. The programme combines psychology, education, and social sciences to train specialists in child advocacy, family services, and educational support roles. Based in Davis, California, this full-time on-campus programme requires strong English proficiency and a minimum 3.2 high school GPA. The total annual cost for international students is US$71,000 (INR 67.63 Lakhs), with intake in September only. This degree prepares graduates for careers in education, social services, child psychology, and family counselling across the United States and globally.

What makes this programme distinctive is UC Davis’ commitment to applied learning through direct work with families and children in real community settings. The faculty emphasises evidence-based practice, cultural competence in family support, and preparing students to work effectively with diverse populations. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated individual with genuine interest in child welfare, communication skills, patience in learning from real-world contexts, and readiness to engage with complex family systems. Graduates report strong placement in teaching, social work, and child development roles within 18 months of completing the degree.

• Strong foundation in developmental psychology, human behaviour, and evidence-based family interventions across cultures.
• Internship placements with schools, social service agencies, and family resource centres in the Sacramento region and beyond.
• Career pathways to educator, school counsellor, family support coordinator, and child development specialist roles within the USA and internationally.

Also Check: UC Davis Admission Requirements and Process

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development Fees and Living Costs 2027

International students pay significantly higher tuition than domestic students at UC Davis. The table below breaks down all annual charges for the 2026-27 academic year.

Source: UC Davis Finance and Business, 2026-27 undergraduate cost of attendance.

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

• Tuition covers instructional and instructional-related fees; it increases annually and is not covered by the Tuition Stability Plan.
• International health insurance is mandatory and covers medical, dental, and emergency services; local plans may not be accepted.
• Books and supplies vary by semester; digital versions often cost less than print textbooks.
• Room and board includes double-occupancy on-campus housing and unlimited meal plans.

Cost of Living in Davis for Human Development Students

Davis is a bicycle-friendly college town with low transportation costs. The compact campus and surrounding community keep living expenses moderate compared to other California cities.

Tip for Indian Students: Most on-campus housing includes utilities and internet; additional monthly spending typically stays under INR 35,000 if you use campus dining and avoid frequent travel home. Many Indian students reduce costs further through shared off-campus housing after first year.

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development Admission

UC Davis welcomes international applicants to its Human Development programme. Admission is competitive; acceptance rates for international students typically range from 35 to 40 percent.

Intake Windows and Application Timeline

UC Davis considers applications on a rolling basis after the deadline has passed. Early submission by late November strengthens your candidacy.

Academic Eligibility

UC Davis overall ranks 114th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The Human Development programme benefits from the university’s strong interdisciplinary research in child welfare and family studies.

English Language Proficiency

All international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through standardised testing. UC Davis accepts both TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language System).

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) is the most common choice for Indian applicants; test centres across India administer it regularly.
• IELTS is also accepted; many find the speaking component more familiar if you have studied in British or Commonwealth curricula.
• Minimum component scores ensure you can function in seminars, write essays, and engage in group projects without language barriers.
• Score validity is two years; plan to test by September 2026 for December 2026 submission.

Tip for Indian Students: A TOEFL score of 90-100 or IELTS 7.0-7.5 strengthens your application significantly. Aim higher than the minimum if you have time; this demonstrates readiness for upper-level courses in psychology and social sciences.

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development Application

The application process is centralised through the University of California application portal. Submission is entirely online; no paper applications are accepted.

• The UC application fee is US$70 (INR 6,664) per university; UC Davis counts as one fee regardless of major selection.
• Transcripts must be evaluated by WES (World Education Services) or equivalent recognised credential service if not from an English-medium school.
• The personal statement should address why you are interested in human development and any experience working with children or families.
• No SAT or ACT is required for international applicants to UC Davis.

Application Tip: Submit at least 4 weeks before the 01 December deadline to avoid last-minute portal issues and ensure WES processing completes on time. Late submissions may not be reviewed for Fall 2027 intake.

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development Scholarships

UC Davis offers limited merit-based scholarships to international undergraduate students. Most funding comes from need-based aid and employer sponsorship rather than the university itself.

International merit scholarships at UC Davis typically range from US$2,000 to US$8,000 per year (INR 1.90 Lakhs to INR 7.62 Lakhs). These scholarships are highly competitive and reserved for applicants demonstrating exceptional academic achievement and financial need. The average international undergraduate receives approximately US$4,000 per year (INR 3.81 Lakhs) in aid, reducing the annual cost from INR 67.63 Lakhs to approximately INR 63.82 Lakhs.

Beyond UC Davis institutional aid, Indian students should explore external scholarship programmes including the Inlaks Shikshan Scholarship, Spark Foundation, and AIESEC funding. Employer sponsorship is common for students whose parents work in large multinational corporations.

The scholarship application is automatic with your admissions application; no separate form is required. Merit awards are determined during the admissions review process and announced alongside acceptance decisions.

Scholarship Reality: International funding at UC Davis is limited; most students finance through a combination of family savings, educational loans from Indian banks, and part-time work (up to 20 hours weekly on-campus during term). Do not assume scholarship funding will reduce costs significantly.

Also Check: UC Davis International Scholarships

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development Salary

Graduates of the Human Development programme pursue careers in education, social services, child psychology, and family support. Starting salaries reflect entry-level roles in these sectors.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA), UC Davis Career Services alumni surveys, and Glassdoor employer salary data for 2025-2026.

Gross starting salaries range from US$38,000 to US$45,000 (INR 36.23 Lakhs to INR 42.90 Lakhs) depending on location and employer. Take-home pay is typically 75 to 80 percent of gross salary after federal income tax, Social Security, and health insurance deductions. Use the IRS tax calculator online to estimate your net income by state.

Graduates working in California earn 10 to 15 percent more than colleagues in mid-cost states. Many dual-degree holders (e.g. Human Development plus teaching credential) earn significantly higher salaries in schools; this requires an additional 1-2 years of study.

ROI Reality: The four-year degree investment of INR 2.71 Crores (US$71,000 x 4 years) is recovered within 6 to 8 years of full-time employment. Salaries grow 3 to 5 percent annually with experience; supervisory roles push earnings to INR 60-80 Lakhs within 10 years.

Read More: UC Davis Career Outcomes and Alumni Salaries

United States Visa Pathway for Human Development Students

Upon admission and enrollment, you will receive an I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) from UC Davis. This document is required to apply for an F-1 student visa at a US embassy or consulate in India. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks after application. Upon graduation, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows full-time work in your field for up to three years.

• F-1 student visa is the standard entry pathway; valid for the duration of your studies plus an optional grace period.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits 36 months of full-time employment in Human Development roles (education, social services, psychology) after graduation.
• Skilled Worker Visas (H-1B) require employer sponsorship and a salary minimum of approximately US$60,000 (INR 57.13 Lakhs) annually in your field.
• Permanent Resident (Green Card) applications typically require 5 to 7 years of employment and employer sponsorship, though direct EB3 (skilled worker) pathways exist for social services specialists.

Visa Reality: Plan to remain on F-1 status for all four years of study. OPT work experience after graduation significantly strengthens any future visa sponsorship applications. Many graduates secure H-1B sponsorship through their OPT employers.

Check Out: US Student Visa Pathway and Work Rights

University of California Davis Bachelor of Science in Human Development Ranking 2027

UC Davis does not have a subject-specific ranking for Human Development or social sciences in the QS, THE, or US News subject rankings for 2026. However, the university ranks 114th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is particularly strong in agriculture, veterinary science, and environmental studies. The Department of Human Ecology integrates research in child development with applied community practice, though institutional subject-ranking data is not publicly disaggregated by specialisation.

Strength in the programme comes from faculty research on family resilience, cultural adaptation in child development, and evidence-based parent-coaching models. These strengths are reflected in peer-reviewed publications but not in standalone subject rankings tracked by major ranking bodies.

Key Insight: Rankings matter less than curriculum fit and internship quality for specialised undergraduate programmes like Human Development. UC Davis’ applied focus and community partnerships are stronger indicators of programme value than a subject ranking would be.