Acceptance Rate
13%
Avg. SAT
1530
75th percentile
“You'll pledge an ironclad Honor Code on day one, trading cutthroat competition for deep trust in a tight-knit Presbyterian liberal arts haven just outside Charlotte.”
Davidson, NC
Location
Large Suburb
Campus Setting
Davidson College traces its roots to 1837, when Presbyterian missionaries founded it in the backwoods of North Carolina to educate ministers and leaders, naming it after Revolutionary War hero General William Lee Davidson—who never actually set foot on campus. Today, it draws students who crave collaboration over competition: earnest overachievers who self-police via the legendary Honor Code, signing a pledge not to lie, cheat, or steal that lets you leave laptops unattended and take unproctored exams. The school's personality shines as principled and unpretentious, fostering lifelong bonds in a bubble of 2,000 undergrads where professors know your name and classmates become family. Nestled in Davidson, a leafy suburb 20 minutes north of Charlotte's skyscrapers, you'll bike past historic homes and a thriving farmers' market, but brace for tradeoffs—the small town vibe means limited nightlife unless you Uber to the city, and Southern humidity plus occasional isolation can test your patience if you need urban buzz.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Davidson's classrooms, expect seminar-style debates where your voice matters, backed by a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that dwarfs most peers (more intimate than 95% of colleges). Professors ditch lectures for hands-on projects, like dissecting policy in the prominent political science program or engineering viruses in the cutting-edge biology labs, with undergrads co-authoring papers in journals thanks to robust research stipends. The intellectual culture thrives on the Honor Code's trust—no surveillance, just mutual respect—fueling standout programs in economics (feeding Wall Street pipelines) and environmental studies tied to nearby Lake Norman. Tradeoffs hit if you chase niche majors; with no engineering or business degrees, you'll pivot to related fields or study abroad, and the liberal arts breadth suits generalists over specialists.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,869 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
61%
Black / African American
7%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
6%
Other / Multi-racial
16%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Davidson, NC
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses with wholesome energy: no Greek life means you dive straight into 200-plus clubs, from ultimate frisbee to Model UN, while four residential quads create house-like loyalty with events like quad-wide barbecues. A typical week blends morning classes, afternoon pickup hoops echoing Stephen Curry's legacy, volunteer shifts via the mandatory service requirement, and Friday bonfires with the Davidson Chorale serenading. Traditions like the freshman beanie crawl (donning caps for a parade) and wild basketball game riots bind you, but the social scene skews collaborative and low-drama—think bonfire chats over ragers. Challenges include the humid Carolina weather drenching your runs and a mostly white, affluent student body (less diverse than urban peers), though Charlotte's concerts and internships offer escapes on weekends.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic 10 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$7,163
$30K – $48K
$5,442
$48K – $75K
$11,806
$75K – $110K
$15,494
$110K+
$37,952
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
95%
4 Years Graduation Rate
87%
6 Years Graduation Rate
90%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$81,400
95% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Davidson College and return in the fall. 87% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 90% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
87%
4-6 years
3%
Non-grad
10%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$56,550
Acceptance
13%
Undergrads
1,869
4-Year Grad Rate
87%
Endowment
$1.2B
Davidson, NC 28035