Where is uc davis

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: UC Davis is located in Davis, California, approximately 15 miles west of Sacramento. The university's main campus spans 5,300 acres, making it one of the largest in the University of California system.

Key Facts

UC Davis is situated in Davis, California, about 15 miles west of Sacramento
The main campus covers 5,300 acres, one of the largest in the UC system
Founded in 1905 as a farm school, it became a general campus in 1959
Enrolls over 40,000 students, including 33,000 undergraduates
Ranked #29 among public universities in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report

Overview

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a major public research university located in the city of Davis, California. Established in 1905 as the University Farm, it began as an agricultural extension of UC Berkeley and evolved into a full-fledged university campus in 1959.

Today, UC Davis is recognized for its strengths in veterinary medicine, agriculture, sustainability, and engineering. The campus spans 5,300 acres, making it one of the most expansive in the UC system, with over 40,000 students enrolled across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Davis, California is a planned college town located in Yolo County, approximately 15 miles west of Sacramento, providing easy access to urban resources while maintaining a suburban campus feel.
The university’s exact address is 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, which serves as the central administrative and academic hub for the campus.
UC Davis operates a branch campus in Sacramento, housing the UC Davis Medical Center, School of Medicine, and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, located about 20 miles from the main campus.
The main campus features extensive farmland, research fields, and the renowned UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, which spans over three miles along Putah Creek.
With over $1 billion in annual research funding, UC Davis ranks among the top U.S. institutions in federal research grants, particularly in agriculture, environmental science, and health.

How It Works

UC Davis operates under the governance of the University of California system, with academic, administrative, and research functions distributed across its colleges and professional schools.

Admissions Process: UC Davis uses a holistic review system evaluating GPA, test scores (optional), extracurriculars, and personal insights; in 2023, it admitted 41% of applicants, with an average high school GPA of 4.08.
Academic Structure: The university comprises four colleges and six professional schools, including the College of Engineering, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and School of Law.
Research Infrastructure: UC Davis hosts over 100 research centers and institutes, such as the Bodega Marine Laboratory and the Institute of Transportation Studies, supported by federal and private grants.
Student Life: Over 800 student organizations and 23 NCAA Division I sports teams foster a vibrant campus culture, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community engagement.
Sustainability Initiatives: The campus aims for carbon neutrality by 2025 and operates one of the largest solar energy systems in California, with over 16 megawatts of solar capacity installed.
Healthcare Integration: The UC Davis Health system includes a 613-bed medical center in Sacramento and serves as a Level I trauma center for the region, training future healthcare professionals.

Comparison at a Glance

UC Davis compared to other UC campuses based on size, enrollment, and academic focus:

University	Enrollment (2023)	Location	Campus Size (acres)	Notable Programs
UC Davis	40,889	Davis, CA	5,300	Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Engineering
UC Berkeley	45,307	Berkeley, CA	1,232	Computer Science, Public Policy, Engineering
UC Los Angeles (UCLA)	46,076	Los Angeles, CA	419	Medicine, Film, Psychology
UC San Diego (UCSD)	43,248	La Jolla, CA	1,288	Oceanography, Biomedical Research, Computer Science
UC Irvine (UCI)	36,407	Irvine, CA	1,477	Public Health, Criminology, Engineering

While UC Davis has a smaller student population than UCLA or Berkeley, its expansive campus allows for unique research opportunities in agriculture and environmental sciences. Its rural setting contrasts with the urban campuses of UC San Diego or UC Irvine, influencing campus culture and academic focus.

Why It Matters

UC Davis plays a critical role in advancing research, education, and public service, particularly in food security, climate resilience, and healthcare access.

Global Food Security: UC Davis leads the Feed the Future Innovation Lab, partnering with 20+ countries to improve crop yields and farming sustainability in developing regions.
Climate Action Leadership: The university’s Sustainable Ag Science Center develops drought-resistant crops and low-emission farming techniques critical for California’s $50 billion agriculture industry.
Healthcare Access: UC Davis Health serves over 1.5 million patients annually, especially in underserved areas of Northern California, through telehealth and mobile clinics.
STEM Education Pipeline: The university partners with community colleges to increase underrepresented minority enrollment in engineering and computer science programs by 35% since 2015.
Economic Impact: UC Davis contributes $10.2 billion annually to California’s economy through employment, research, and student spending, supporting over 70,000 jobs.
Innovation and Startups: The West Edge Research Park incubates over 100 startups annually, focusing on agtech, biotech, and clean energy technologies.

As a land-grant institution with a global reach, UC Davis continues to expand its impact through interdisciplinary collaboration and community-focused research, solidifying its place as a leader in public higher education.