University of California-Davis

Davis, CA

publicgraduate

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Quick Facts

“Fiat lux (Latin)”("Let there be light")

1905

Founded

Public land-grant research university

Type

40,848

Total Students

31,797

Undergrad

7,912

Graduate

$770M

Endowment

(2024)

Doctoral Universities

Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of California-Davis

UC Davis: From agricultural roots to a 'Public Ivy' and global research powerhouse.

The University of California, Davis, or UC Davis, stands as a distinguished "Public Ivy" and a formidable R1 research institution nestled in the vibrant Davis, California area. What began in 1905 as a focused agricultural branch of the University of California system has blossomed into a comprehensive powerhouse, officially becoming the sixth UC campus in 1959. Today, it proudly serves over 40,000 students, offering an expansive array of academic opportunities that span far beyond its foundational roots.

UC Davis is renowned for its exceptional strengths across diverse fields, housing the largest veterinary school in the United States and a highly competitive School of Medicine, which notably ranked as the 6th most competitive nationally in 2016. The university boasts 90 robust research programs, underscoring its commitment to innovation and discovery. Beyond these flagship programs, students can pursue excellence in engineering, science, law, education, nursing, and business management, guided by a faculty that includes members of the National Academies.

The spirit of inquiry and achievement permeates the campus, fostering a dynamic environment where students thrive. From its early days grappling with the balance between practical farming and scientific agricultural principles, UC Davis has evolved into a global leader in research. Its athletes, the Aggies, compete fiercely in NCAA Division I, with a proud record including 10 Olympic medals. The university's profound impact is further evidenced by the numerous accolades earned by its faculty, alumni, and researchers, including Nobel Prizes and Pulitzer Prizes, making it an inspiring place for aspiring scholars and professionals.

Key Highlights

✦Recognized as a "Public Ivy" and classified as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity."
✦Founded in 1905 as an agricultural branch, it evolved into the sixth comprehensive campus of the University of California system by 1959.
✦Home to the largest veterinary school in the United States, setting a national benchmark for excellence.
✦The UC Davis School of Medicine recorded a highly competitive 2.8% acceptance rate in 2016, ranking it 6th nationally.
✦Offers over 90 distinct research programs, attracting more than 40,000 students dedicated to discovery.
✦Faculty, alumni, and researchers have collectively earned prestigious honors including 2 Nobel Prizes, 1 Fields Medal, and 3 Pulitzer Prizes.
✦Aggies athletes have achieved significant success, including a total of 10 Olympic medals in NCAA Division I competition.

Timeline

1868

University of California established as a land-grant university, founding a College of Agriculture.

1905

Institution founded as an agricultural branch of the UC system, initially known as University Farm.

1922

Renamed Northern Branch of the College of Agriculture.

1938

Renamed College of Agriculture at Davis.

1959

Became the sixth general campus of the University of California, officially named University of California, Davis.

🏛️

121 Years

of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

2 notable schools within University of California-Davis

🏥

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

The largest veterinary school in the United States, renowned for its comprehensive programs.

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UC Davis School of Medicine

Known for its highly competitive admissions, ranking as the 6th most competitive medical school in the U.S. in 2016 with a 2.8% acceptance rate.

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