Davidson College
Davidson College is a private nonprofit university in Davidson, NC ranked #55 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of A, enrolling about 1,901 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 14.5%. Students most often pursue Economics and Political Science and Government.
Academically, students benefit from a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, 95.4% first-year retention, and 91.9% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
Families typically invest $18,127, about $1,129 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -13.3%, roughly 98.6 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $62,866. That's about $19,178 higher than national results. It's a compelling fit for motivated learners who want a competitive yet collaborative community and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is Davidson College Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Davidson College graduates 91.9% of students within six years and keeps 95.4% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Davidson College's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $60,300 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $16,400 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,775 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $75,865 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 16.6% of Davidson College students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $6,613 to $40,503 depending on family income. Use Davidson College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $25,077/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $40,503/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $62,866
- 10-Year Median Earnings $62,866
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $16,511
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 83.9%
- Employment Rate 77.0%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Davidson College graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Davidson College vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Davidson College's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Davidson College's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Davidson College graduates earn $62,866 median, the -13.3% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 690-750
- SAT Math 670-760
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 31-34
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 1,901
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 95.4%
- Graduation Rate 91.9%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 9:1
How to Get Into Davidson College
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Davidson College requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 14.5%, Davidson College is highly selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: Davidson College's 14.5% acceptance rate makes it highly selective. Strong test scores, GPA, and a well-rounded application are essential. Early application can improve your chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1360 and 1510 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Davidson College undergraduates. Political Science and Government, Biology, General, and Economics draw the most students.
- Political Science and Government 12.8%
- Biology, General 11.5%
- Economics 11.5%
- Psychology, General 8.3%
- Computer and Information Sciences, General 5.9%
- English Language and Literature, General 5.9%
See more majors
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 5.5%
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 4.1%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Economics $124,368
- 2. Political Science and Government $78,431
- 3. Psychology, General $63,549
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. English Language and Literature, General $58,057
- 5. Biology, General $39,602
- 6. Sociology $26,303
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Economics grads earn $124,368—373% more than Sociology ($26,303). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Davidson College. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree, 72 graduates)
- Biology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 65 graduates)
- Economics (Bachelor's Degree, 65 graduates)
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 47 graduates)
- English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degree, 33 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (29 programs)▼
- Political Science and Government
- Economics
- Biology, General
- Psychology, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- History
- Sociology
- Area Studies
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Music
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Anthropology
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Communication and Media Studies
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,901
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 46.9%
- Female Students 53.1%
- Caucasian 61.2%
- Asian 5.9%
- Hispanic 10.1%
- Black 6.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients 16.6%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Davidson College's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Davidson College's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Davidson College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Davidson College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: About 16.6% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Davidson College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Davidson College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Ranking #55 nationally, Davidson College combines competitive admissions with -13.3% ROI, positioning itself among America's stronger universities. The institution balances academic rigor with $62,866 in median post-graduation earnings.
Students complete degrees at 91.9% six-year rates, with 95.4% retention reflecting solid satisfaction. The $18,127 annual net price falls in the moderate range, though 269 institutions deliver comparable outcomes at lower costs.
Competitive Selective University: Davidson College's Market Position
A grade | #55 of 6272 | 97.3/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total)
Competitive Positioning: Davidson College occupies the competitive selective tier—not elite enough for automatic career advantages, but strong enough to provide quality education and reasonable outcomes. The -13.3% ROI reflects this middle ground: better than most, but not top-tier.
Value for Money: $18,127 annually produces $62,866 median earnings—a reasonable but not exceptional return. Students choosing Davidson College should evaluate whether the institution's specific programs, location, or campus culture justify costs versus higher-ROI alternatives.
Who Succeeds Here: Self-directed students who maximize campus resources (research, internships, networking) achieve outcomes rivaling higher-ranked schools. Students seeking specific programs or geographic locations find strong value. Those needing extensive hand-holding may struggle in larger university environments.
Final Assessment: Davidson College's #55 ranking and A grade reflect solid performance across metrics. With 269 schools offering better ROI, value-focused students should compare carefully. However, for students who fit the institution's culture and programs, outcomes justify investment.
Key Takeaways
- 91.9% six-year graduation rate sits 29.4 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 95.4% first-year retention is 18.6 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -13.3% return on investment is 98.6 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $62,866 run about 44% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $18,127 is roughly $1,009 higher than the national median of $17,118.
Helpfulness for Students
- 9:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 95.4% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 77.0% employment rate within three years sits 8.8 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $18,127 is about $1,009 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 16.6% trails the national share by 22.3 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Davidson College is a private nonprofit university based in Davidson, NC and earns a A overall grade. It appears at #55 in EDsmart's national list Category results include Completion (A), Support (A), Career Outcomes (B+), and Affordability (B-).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
95.4% of learners come back after year one while 91.9% complete the degree within six years. EDsmart calculates the ROI at -13.3%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $18,127 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $75,865.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $57,738 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $16,511 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 16.6% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $62,866 six years after enrollment. Compared with the national median, that's 44% higher.
Roughly 77.0% of graduates are employed three years out.
EDsmart lists the ROI at -13.3%, offering a quick read on value.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
14.5% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Davidson College admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
Similar Schools
Institutions with similar academic profiles, selectivity, and outcomes
Nearby Schools
Other campuses you might consider
Other North Carolina campuses you might consider
Contact Information
- Address Davidson, NC 28035
- Website davidson.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
- Endowment$1.32B