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Davidson College

Davidson College

Davidson, NC · 1.9k students

Highly SelectivePrivateSuburbBachelorCampus-baseddavidson.edu
79.7/100

Trajecta score

+4.4 since '20

Ranked #35 of 2,375

5-year trend

'20'24

76.2 · #43

2020

78.4 · #38

2021

78.1 · #39

2022

79.9 · #30

2023

80.6 · #29

2024

AcademicCareersSuccessAfford.Invest.Access

Academic Profile

87/ 100

Career Outcomes

83/ 100

Student Success

87/ 100

Affordability

71/ 100

Academic Investment

91/ 100

Access & Equity

51/ 100

Academic Profile

87

Career Outcomes

83

Student Success

87

Affordability

71

Academic Investment

91

Access & Equity

51

AI Fit Analysis

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Cost / Net Price

$79k / $17k

SAT Avg

1,469

Retention

95%

Grad Rate

91%

Admissions

13%admission rate
EliteH.SelSelectiveModerateOpen

Test Scores

SAT Range1,469
4001000120014001600
25th: 1,400Average: 1,46975th: 1,530

Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.

Finances

Tuition

In-State Tuition

$64,410

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$64,410

per year

Aid & Debt

Pell Grant Share

18%

undergraduates receiving Pell

Federal Loan Share

9%

students borrowing

Median Debt

among completers

$18,688

Admissions Factors

What Davidson College says it weighs

Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.

3.86

average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 100% reporting

Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Davidson College reports weighing in admissions.

FactorVery ImportantImportantConsideredNot Considered
Rigor of secondary school recordRigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rankClass rank: Considered
Academic GPAAcademic GPA: Considered
Standardized test scoresStandardized test scores: Considered
Application essayApplication essay: Important
Recommendation(s)Recommendation(s): Very Important
InterviewInterview: Not Considered
Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities: Considered
Talent/abilityTalent/ability: Considered
Character/personal qualitiesCharacter/personal qualities: Very Important
First generationFirst generation: Considered
Alumni/ae relationAlumni/ae relation: Not Considered
Geographical residenceGeographical residence: Not Considered
State residencyState residency: Not Considered
Religious affiliation/commitmentReligious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered
Volunteer workVolunteer work: Considered
Work experienceWork experience: Considered
Level of applicant's interestLevel of applicant's interest: Considered

Supplemental Essays · 2025-26

school's admissions site ↗

Davidson College essay prompts

Why Davidson

Required250-300 word limit

There are just under 4,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College?

A topic, activity or idea that excites you

Required250-300 word limit

Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why. Examples may include hobbies, books, interactions, music, podcasts, movies, etc.

Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →

Methodology

How these rankings work

The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.

Read the full methodology

Selectivity tiers

EliteUnder 10% admit rate
Highly Selective10–20% admit rate
Selective20–40% admit rate
Moderate40–65% admit rate
Open65%+ admit rate

Score dimensions & weights

Career Outcomes25%

Median earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.

Academic Profile22%

Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.

Affordability15%

Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.

Student Success13%

Graduation rate and first-year retention.

Academic Investment12%

Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.

Access10%

Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.

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Colleges similar to Davidson College

Neighbors in North Carolina, plus the closest schools nationally by Trajecta Score.