Students riding bicycles on west quad UC Davis

About Us

We grow
California

UC Davis was founded in 1908 to serve the state of California. We do and we always will. And today, the seed that was planted those years ago has grown into one of the world’s top universities.

See our rankings Aggie Tip Sheet

UC Davis at a glance

38,347

students

107

academic majors

professional schools

625

beds in teaching hospital

101

graduate degrees

21:1

student to faculty ratio

What sets UC Davis apart?

Our talented students are more likely to collaborate than compete. This friendly approach has led to an incredibly rich campus community that turns big ideas into real solutions.

UC Davis research

A student stands in front of a cell structure image

Undergraduate research

students walking around an open market in downtown Davis

College town atmosphere

Students gathered around a chalkboard to discuss a difficult math problem

Teamwork and humility

A Plant Biology student investigates the leaves of a greenhouse plant

Flexible majors

Students study below a large oak tree in the UC Davis Arboretum

Sustainability

Quick facts

Received over $1 billion in research funding in 2021-22

UC Davis Health serves 30,000 patients a year and handles nearly 1 million visits

On any given day, there are over 22,000 bikes on our campus

Our athletics name is “The Aggies” — a reference to our agricultural beginnings

50% of our undergraduate students conduct research and creative projects beyond the classroom

Boundless
academics

World-class research

UC Davis is a tier-one research university. Discoveries made by our students and faculty continue to improve the lives of people here in California and around the world.

Explore our research

A school for every interest

In addition to our undergraduate and graduate study opportunities, we have professional schools in medicine, law, business, veterinary medicine, nursing and education.

See our professional schools

Study abroad

Through the Global Learning Hub, students can find global learning opportunities available on campus, in the region, and across all seven continents.

Find opportunities

Bodega Bay Marine Lab

Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) is a leader in multidisciplinary research aimed at solving complex environmental problems in coastal ecosystems.

Learn about the lab

Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC)

TERC is internationally recognized for its multidisciplinary, collaborative research on lakes and their surrounding watersheds.

Explore TERC

Faculty mentors

UC Davis Graduate Studies supports and advances graduate faculty-student mentoring through a variety of efforts, such as the Distinguished Graduate and Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring Awards.

Meet our mentors

Land Acknowledgment

We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which UC Davis is located. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.

Learn more about Land Acknowledgment

UC davis quad covered in haystacks circa 1910

UC Davis history

We first opened our doors in 1908 as the University Farm, the research and science-based instruction extension of UC Berkeley. As the century evolved, our mission expanded beyond agriculture to match a larger understanding of how we should be serving the public.

Students participate in the Picnic Day parade

1909: After University Farm School opens in January with 18 students, more than 2,200 people attend the first Picnic Day in May.

A UC Davis student walks a cow through campus in the early 20th century

1916: Animals from the University Farm herd sweep championships at the Chicago International Livestock Show.

A group of UC Davis farmworkers gather in the early 20th century

1938: The campus is renamed the College of Agriculture at Davis. One hundred and six courses are taught by 76 faculty.

A group of students enjoy an outdoor chemistry class on Mrak Mall

1940: The Division of Chemistry acquires the first patents for the entire University of California.

A student and her mother walk through the UC Davis campus in the late 1960s

1959: The regents designate UC Davis and UC Riverside general campuses.

1969: A picture of the first whole earth day at UC Davis

1969: Begun as an “art happening”, the Whole Earth Festival attracts 30,000 folks for eclectic music, henna tattoos, vegan food and regional crafts.

Two veterinary researchers pose in their lab in the 1980s

1975: The veterinary school is ranked first in the nation by a national survey of deans.

A UC Davis quarterback throws the ball in a 1980 football game

1990: The football team wins its 20th consecutive league championship, a national record.

Two UC Davis staff pose next to the worlds first full body PET scanner that they invented

2018: UC Davis scientists unveil images from the world’s first total body scanner.

In Focus, a look at the best of UC Davis

Feeding a Growing Population

Connecting our research and expertise to the effort to feed a growing population under a changing climate.

Science & Climate

UC Davis is applying its collective strengths in science, engineering, art and design to the problem of climate change and a warming planet.

Advancing Health Worldwide

Advancing the study of medicine as a worldwide leader in human health and veterinary sciences.

Driven by Curiosity

Answering foundational questions about our world, showcasing research that transcends science, technology, arts and humanities, and social sciences.