University of California-Davis — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of California-Davis charges a net price of $14,741/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $58,964. Graduates earn a median $80,838 ten years after entry, $32,478/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.8 years — a 20-year net return of $590,596, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of California-Davis's 1.8-year payback ranks #56 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 96% of them, and #20 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,741/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $58,964 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $80,838 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $32,478/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $13,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $590,596 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of California-Davis's own numbers. Net price $14,741 × 4 years = $58,964 total. Median earnings $80,838 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $32,478 a year of premium. $58,964 ÷ $32,478 = 1.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $590,596. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of California-Davis students graduate with?
A median $13,000 in federal loans among completers, or 16% of the $80,838 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of California-Davis students graduate?
86% finish their degree. Spread the $58,964 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $68,563 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of California-Davis expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $14,741 net price runs $5,164 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $20,656 less across the full degree.