University of California-Davis vs University of California-Irvine: which has better ROI?
University of California-Davis has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,964 in 1.8 years versus 1.8 years at University of California-Irvine, on median earnings of $80,838 vs $80,735 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Davis | University of California-Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,741 | $14,251 |
| Total net cost | $58,964 | $57,004 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,838 | $80,735 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,596 | $590,496 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Davis or University of California-Irvine?
University of California-Irvine, at $14,251 a year after aid versus $14,741 — a gap of $490 a year, or $1,960 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of California-Davis or University of California-Irvine graduates earn more?
University of California-Davis graduates report a median $80,838 ten years after entry, $103 more than the $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of California-Davis or University of California-Irvine?
University of California-Davis: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $15,000 at University of California-Irvine, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at University of California-Irvine, against 86% at University of California-Davis. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.