UC Davis YSP vs UC COSMOS: Which Program Is Right for You?
Two University of California summer science routes that look similar and aren't: COSMOS is a multi-campus academic cluster program — courses, labs, breadth; UC Davis YSP is an individual research placement where you run one project and produce a paper. Choose YSP to generate original research you can enter in competitions, COSMOS to explore a field with UC faculty.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of UC Davis Young Scholars Program and California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS). A blank row is a fact we do not hold — not a zero, and not a no.
| UC Davis YSP | UC COSMOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $7,750 | $5,518 |
| Application deadline | Dates not announced — researched August 22, 2026 | Dates not announced — researched August 22, 2026 |
| Grade eligibility | Grades 11–12 | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person | In person |
| Location | Davis, CA, United States | Berkeley, CA, United States |
| Program dates | Not listed | Not listed |
| Application destination | ysp.ucdavis.edu | cosmos.ucop.edu |
| Organizer | UC Davis School of Education | University of California |
UC Davis Young Scholars Program
California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, UC Davis YSP or UC COSMOS?
UC Davis YSP: $7,750. UC COSMOS: $5,518. Confirm each figure on the program's official page before budgeting.
Can I apply to both UC Davis YSP and UC COSMOS?
The application destinations are evaluated independently. UC Davis YSP: ysp.ucdavis.edu. UC COSMOS: cosmos.ucop.edu. Review each provider's current instructions before assuming either application is open or compatible with the other.
Which is better for college applications, UC Davis YSP or UC COSMOS?
We do not rank enrichment programs by admissions value. Use the comparison to assess whether each program's documented constraints fit your situation, and check the details that decide it for you on each program's official page.
What grades can apply to UC Davis YSP and UC COSMOS?
UC Davis YSP: Grades 11–12. UC COSMOS: Grades 9–12. Eligibility can change between cycles, so confirm it on each program's official page before applying.
Related comparisons
UC Davis YSP appears in 1 of 56 comparison pages. UC COSMOS appears in 2 of 56 comparison pages.
How we count
Our comparison list has 56 pairs covering 91 catalog programs. Those numbers count this list only. They are not a ranking or the size of the full catalog.
We don't rank programs or name one of them the best.
When we don't list a cost, it is unknown, not free. Check the official page.
Catalog-wide numbers, and what each was counted out of, are on Statistics.