Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Davidson, North Carolina |
| Online | davidson.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Davidson College sits in the town of Davidson, North Carolina, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte. Founded in 1837 by Presbyterians, this private liberal arts institution maintains its historic red-brick colonial architecture across its 665-acre suburban campus, which includes Lake Norman on its perimeter. The college operates under a strict honor code and is known for its rigorous academic standards, high selectivity in admissions, and commitment to need-blind financial aid through the Davidson Trust. While offering comprehensive liberal arts programs, Davidson has particular strength in economics, political science, and pre-medical studies, with all students required to complete an advanced research project or thesis. Students must live on campus for all four years, residing in traditional residence halls or apartment-style housing, and the college competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Davidson Wildcats, most notably in men's basketball.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Davidson is rated within the top 8% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Davidson College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#35 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#35 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#2 in Best Private Colleges in North Carolina
#39 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1360/1510 |
| ACT | 31/34 |
| GPA | 3.81 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 7, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very High |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $790 |
| Room and Board | $16,400 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,775 |
| Total One Year Cost | $79,475 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 28% |
| Biology | 11% |
| Psychology | 11% |
| Foreign Languages | 11% |
| English and Literature | 11% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Davidson are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198385 IPEDS survey data for Davidson College.
Current students may use the Davidson College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025