University of California, Davis

A spirit of bold, interdisciplinary discovery defines the intellectual life at the University of California, Davis, where a deep commitment to solving the world’s most urgent problems empowers students to cross academic boundaries across four distinguished colleges and six professional schools. Rooted in a land-grant mission to advance public service through education and research, the UC Davis approach fuses a rigorous liberal arts foundation with specialized expertise in fields ranging from agricultural science and environmental policy to engineering and the health professions. This dynamic scholarly environment is anchored in Davis, California, a vibrant college town located just fifteen miles west of Sacramento, where a 5,300-acre campus—one of the largest in the University of California system—serves as a living laboratory for sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. Within this inclusive community of thinkers, leadership is forged through hands-on research, a culture of civic responsibility, and the collaborative pursuit of ideas that address challenges from food security to climate change.

Collaborative inquiry is the hallmark of the UC Davis experience, where the campus functions as a premier hub for undergraduate research, global connectivity, and public impact. Undergraduate education is deeply integrated into a world-class research ecosystem, providing students with early opportunities to work alongside faculty on projects that span disciplines and continents. A 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a diverse and accessible educational experience within a large research university setting. For international applicants, UC Davis is a public institution where most types of federal and state financial aid are not available to students on F-1 or J-1 visas; however, a limited number of institutional scholarships and private awards may be accessible, and the university actively supports international students through its Services for International Students and Scholars office. Through this blend of land-grant heritage, environmental leadership, and practical innovation, UC Davis graduates emerge ready not only to excel in their careers but to lead with purpose and a commitment to the public good.