UC Davis is a premier public research university in California's Central Valley, recognized as the nation's top school for veterinary medicine and agricultural sciences. Its bike-friendly campus in the college town of Davis fosters a collaborative academic environment with particular strengths in biological sciences, environmental studies, and food science.
Mascot: Aggie
Notable Alumni
Tracy Caldwell Dyson (NASA astronaut)•London Breed (mayor of San Francisco)•Adam Duritz (lead singer, Counting Crows)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Davis is a true college town where everyone bikes everywhere and the pace feels distinctly Californian-chill — think farmers' market weekends and pickup frisbee on the Quad. The social scene is present but low-key; Greek life is visible but doesn't dominate, and house parties in the surrounding neighborhoods carry more of the social weight. Picnic Day is an iconic spring tradition that turns the entire campus into a massive open house and is genuinely one of the best college events in the UC system.
A flat, bike-friendly campus with a patchwork of architectural styles from different decades and no dominant visual identity. Pleasant green spaces and mature trees keep it from feeling stark, but the overall aesthetic is functional rather than memorable.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
UC Davis Police are fully accredited and patrol 24/7, with a $20 million investment in outdoor lights, cameras, call boxes, and building security. Safe Rides service available after hours.
Davis is a quiet college town with violent crime rates 60% below the national average. However, bicycle theft is extremely common due to the bike-heavy student environment.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Offered October through June, most weekdays
Duration: ~2 hours (30-min admissions presentation + 90-min walking tour)
Tours start at the Walter A. Robinson Welcome Center. Spanish-language tours also available (15-min presentation + 60-min walk + 15-min housing overview). Register through visit.ucdavis.edu.
Book a TourVirtual immersive tour available online. Campus map at campusmap.ucdavis.edu for self-navigation. Bike-friendly campus -- Davis is the most bike-friendly city in the US.
Tour ResourcesOctober through November for fall colors or April through May when the Arboretum blooms. Picnic Day (mid-April) is UC Davis's legendary open house with 150+ events. Avoid July through August -- Davis heat regularly exceeds 100 degrees F.
Visitor lots (C lots) cost $2.75/first hour, $11.25/3 hours, $17/day. Pay via COSMO kiosks or AggiePark app. Most students bike -- the campus is extremely flat and bike-friendly. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 20 minutes east via I-80. Amtrak Capitol Corridor stops at the Davis station.
Location
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