What you should consider when looking at two schools of similar reputation is the ancillary items related to the college or university.

For example: SB is literally on the beach and is located in argueably the most beautiful part of the west coast. That is why Santa Barbara, as a town, is called the queen of the coast.

Davis is close to Sacramento, with good availability of political opportunites nearby. Davis is closer to skiing, about 1 to 2 hours to Bear Valley/Mt Reba.

Also, what do you want the weather to be like? Remember, you are going to be calling this home for the next 4 years, maybe more. SB is warm and sunny and well, beachlike. Davis has 4 seasons or at least 3 1/2.

Lastly, where do you live now? If you live in Sacto and you want to stay close because you love your family so much, or whatever, then Davis is perfect. However, if you want to get away from the area perhaps SB is better. This obvious works in reverse as well.

Truly, there is not enough of a difference between the two programs to merit one over the other.

I wrestled with the same question back when I was choosing a college. My heart wanted the one that some, not all, would have considered to be slightly less impressive. My head said to pick the very best. Truth be know, there wasn’t really enough of a difference between the two to have used academics alone as a deciding factor. In hind sight, I know, for sure, that I made the wrong choice. I chose based on perceived reputation.

It’s like arguing over who makes a better bottle of water. Or which cell phone provider is best. They all have issues and they are all just fine.

Two years after you graduate no one will care what school, of the two, you attended. You are not talking about Stanford and Cal State Bakersfield. These two are too similar with academics. Look at the rest of the big picture.

PS: I am a teacher and could live anywhere…I live in SB

Best wishes and follow your heart on this one.

Mike