Which is harder to get into: UC Davis or UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley is harder to get into overall. It is one of the most selective campuses in the UC system, while UC Davis is still selective but typically more attainable for a broader range of applicants. If you are building a college list, Berkeley should usually be treated as the bigger reach and Davis as somewhat less of one.

For the student who is aiming at Berkeley, the bar is usually higher across the application. Strong grades in the most demanding courses available, a very compelling academic profile, and clear evidence of impact outside the classroom tend to matter a lot. Berkeley also draws a very large number of applicants who are targeting a highly research-oriented, academically intense environment, which adds to the level of competition.

UC Davis fits students who still want a respected UC education but are looking at a campus that is somewhat less difficult to enter than Berkeley. It is especially appealing for students interested in areas where Davis has a strong reputation, such as agricultural and environmental fields, biological sciences, and pre-health paths. Admissions there is still competitive, so it is not a safety for most applicants, but it does not usually sit in the same admissions tier as Berkeley.

One important detail is that difficulty can vary by major. At both schools, some programs are more competitive than others, and that can affect how hard admission feels in practice. But in a simple overall comparison, Berkeley is the tougher admit and Davis is the less selective of the two.