UC Davis Downtown Store — Local services in Davis

For all the talk UC Davis puts out about student success, inclusion, and opportunity, the reality on campus often feels like the exact opposite — especially when you look at the UC Davis Stores. What should be a supportive resource is just another overpriced, underwhelming part of a system that prioritizes profit over student well-being.

School supplies, textbooks, snacks, and even UC Davis-branded gear are all sold at steep markups. You can easily find the same items for much less off-campus or online. Staff often seem disinterested, and customer service feels like an afterthought. It’s not a store designed to help students — it’s designed to squeeze more money out of them.

But this problem isn’t isolated. It points to a much deeper issue: UC Davis is increasingly becoming a poor return on investment, especially for top students. Those who enter with ambition and talent often find themselves limited, not lifted. Instead of being challenged, they’re held back by an environment where mediocrity is tolerated and excellence is undervalued. If you don’t “fit the system,” you’re more likely to be punished or overlooked than supported.

Many high-achieving students come here expecting a world-class education and end up stuck in oversized classes, disconnected advising, and a culture where trying too hard makes you an outsider. For students aiming for top-tier grad schools or competitive careers, UC Davis can be a serious setback. In some cases, it actively harms those who are “too smart” or think too independently — because they don’t conform to the university’s low academic and institutional standards.

UC Davis claims to open doors, but too often it closes them. It charges top dollar, delivers a subpar experience, and offers little support for those with real potential. From its overpriced stores to its broken academic systems, the university feels more like a business than a place of learning.

For students seeking value, challenge, and real support — UC Davis may not be...

UC Davis Stores feel more like a cash grab than a student resource. Everyday essentials are sold at inflated prices, and the staff often seem indifferent, as if helping students isn’t part of the job. It’s hard to ignore the feeling that the whole operation is designed to generate revenue, not to support students. While the university talks a lot about student support, the reality of constantly being nickel-and-dimed tells a different story. When you factor in the high costs and lackluster service, you start to question whether UC Davis offers any real value. Given the steep tuition and the underwhelming student experience, the return on investment just doesn’t...

UC Davis Stores feel like just another cash grab by the university. Everyday school supplies come with steep markups, and the staff often act indifferent—like helping students isn’t really a priority. It’s hard not to see the whole setup as a money-making machine rather than a resource for students. UC Davis talks a lot about supporting students, but when you’re constantly being nickel-and-dimed, it starts to feel like those promises are just for show. Honestly, with costs like these, you really have to question whether UC Davis is worth the...