Santa Clara University vs University of California—Davis

This page compares Santa Clara University and University of California—Davis across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of California—Davis is ranked #50 compared to #156 — a gap of 106 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of California—Davis has a median LSAT of 165 compared to 159, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to University of California—Davis face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of California—Davis is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 16.0% compared to Santa Clara University's 52.6%.

Both schools are located in California — Santa Clara University in Santa Clara and University of California—Davis in Davis — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, Santa Clara University has lower tuition at - per year compared to $57,460. Combined with employment rates of 82.2% (Santa) and 89.3% (UCD), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Santa Clara University offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $90,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.