University of California, Davis

Davis, CA · founded 1905 · 40,000 students · public research university · Big West Conference

Known for: World-renowned for its top-ranked programs in veterinary medicine, agriculture, and environmental science, set on a massive, bike-friendly campus with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #28
QS World: #118
Times Higher Education: #59
ARWU Shanghai: #101
Forbes: #20

Top programmes

Veterinary Medicine
Agriculture
Environmental Science
Biological Sciences
Engineering
Food Science

Notable alumni

Martin Yan — Celebrity chef and host of 'Yan Can Cook'
Ann Veneman — Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and UNICEF Executive Director
Dianne Feinstein — Former U.S. Senator from California
Kevin Johnson — Former NBA All-Star and former mayor of Sacramento
Gregory Peck — Academy Award-winning actor
Steven Chu — Nobel Prize-winning physicist and former U.S. Secretary of Energy
Tracey Ellison — Noted food scientist and business executive

Traditions

Picnic Day (largest student-run event in the US)
Battle for the Golden Horseshoe (football rivalry with Sacramento State)
Whole Earth Festival (sustainability-focused festival)
UC Davis Bike Auction

If University of California, Davis were…

As a food: Farm-to-table heirloom tomato salad — Fresh, wholesome, and sustainably sourced—like Davis's earthy authenticity and commitment to real-world impact over flash.
As an athlete: Steve Prefontaine — Gritty, determined, and fundamentally connected to the land—much like Davis's no-nonsense excellence and endurance-focused culture.
As a person alive today: Michael Pollan — The thoughtful chronicler of food systems and sustainable living—perfect for Davis's agricultural roots and environmental consciousness.
As a historical figure: Thomas Jefferson — The scholar-farmer who believed in cultivated knowledge and agricultural innovation—the ideal match for Davis's agrarian intellectualism.
As a movie or TV show: The Biggest Little Farm — The documentary about transforming land through sustainable dedication—just like Davis's hands-on, earth-aware approach to education.
As a US president: Jimmy Carter — The humble peanut farmer who brought substance over style—perfect for Davis's unpretentious yet profoundly impactful ethos.
As a city: Portland, Oregon — Progressive, bike-obsessed, and sustainably focused with hidden depth—the urban mirror of Davis's granola intellectualism.
As an element: Carbon — The fundamental element of all organic life—ideal for a university built on agricultural science and sustainable systems.
As a car: 1987 Volvo 240 Wagon — Sensible, eco-conscious, and packed with organic groceries from the Davis farmers market, this Swedish wagon is the official vehicle of sustainability researchers and bike-lane advocates. It's granola Berkeley without th

Campus life

Davis offers a classic college town experience with a friendly, laid-back, and outdoorsy vibe. The city and campus are famously bike-centric, fostering a strong sense of community. Social life revolves around campus events, clubs, and the downtown area rather than a dominant Greek scene.