For the third consecutive year, a record high number of students have applied to UC Davis for undergraduate studies.

The 122,271 applications for fall 2026 represented a 1.8% increase over the previous record of 120,131 set last year and included a record high number of California residents. 

The UC Office of the President released preliminary systemwide and campus application statistics today (Feb. 24). For year-over-year comparison, the campus is using preliminary application statistics.

Also a record high, 104,850 applied for first-year admission, representing a 1.8% increase over the previous high of 102,958 last year. New transfer applications numbered 17,421, up 1.4% from last year.

Robert Penman, executive director of Undergraduate Admissions, said the campus aims to enroll an entering class of about 9,100 new first-year and transfer students.

California residency and other demographics

A record high of 70,354 California residents among first-year applicants, up 2.0% from last year, contributed to an overall record high of 85,530 California first-year and transfer applicants, 2.3% more than last year. The California residents accounted for 67.1% of all first-year applicants and 87.1% of all transfer applicants.

Among California first-year applicants, 38% were from low-income families, and 36% would be in the first generation of their family to graduate from a four-year college.

Among U.S. domestic applicants seeking to transfer from a California Community College, 54% were from low-income families, and 46% would be in the first generation of their family to graduate from a four-year college.

Overall, applications from U.S. states other than California grew 1.8% over last year, while international applications decreased 0.1%.

Admissions process

Undergraduate Admissions is now evaluating applications and plans to notify applicants of admissions decisions for first-year status in the first half of March and for transfer status in late March. First-year and transfer applicants who receive offers of admission are invited to attend Aggie Day on April 11. Students admitted for first-year studies will have until May 1 to accept offers of admission, while admitted transfer students will have until June 1.

Students are encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, or California Dream Act Application by the priority deadline of March 2.