Cal vs UC Davis: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. UC Davis runs $3,227 less per year out of state; Cal graduates 8 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Cal if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Cal graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than UC Davis.
- You want to play in June: Cal has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than UC Davis since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Cal rates strong against solid at UC Davis.
Lean UC Davis if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: UC Davis lists $3,227 less per year in tuition and housing than Cal.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: UC Davis rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Cal.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Cal | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $14,850 | $15,247 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $45,627 | $46,024 |
| Room & board | $22,692 | $19,068 — UC Davis leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $37,542 | $34,315 — UC Davis leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $68,319 | $65,092 — UC Davis leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Cal | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 93% — Cal leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 85% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | — | $80,838/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $13,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | — | 16% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Cal | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 42% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 45,699 | 39,707 |
| Where it is | Berkeley, CA | Davis, CA |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Cal | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ACC | Big West |
| Conference level | Power Conference | Mid-Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 3 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Steve Singleton | Erin Thorpe |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Cal | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Cal
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
UC Davis
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Cal vs UC Davis: common questions
- Is Cal or UC Davis cheaper?
- On published price, UC Davis is cheaper — about $65,092 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $68,319 at Cal. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Cal or UC Davis?
- Cal, at 93% against 85% at UC Davis (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Cal and UC Davis offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Cal rates very competitive against competitive at UC Davis. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- How do I contact the coaches at Cal and UC Davis?
- UC Davis runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Cal, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Cal and UC Davis accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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