Davidson College

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Average Rating: 58.7 Average Consensus: 69 Average Review: 76.8
84.1
College Consensus
AVERAGE: 69
85
Publisher Consensus
AVERAGE: 58.7
83.2
Student Consensus
AVERAGE: 76.8
Scores last updated on January 6, 2024
17%
Percent Admitted
89%
4-year Graduation Rate
1,927
Enrollment
9.0:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
$45,583
Average Undergraduate Students Aid
$57,340
In-State Tuition and Fees
$57,340
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
= Average
Sector
Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Religious Affiliation
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Davidson College is a private liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina on a beautiful, historic 665-acre campus and a second 110-acre lake campus. Ranked among the nation’s strongest and most selective liberal arts college, Davidson is the alma mater of over 20 Rhodes Scholars. The college was founded in 1837 by The Presbyterian Church USA under the motto, “Let Learning Be Cherished Where Liberty Has Arisen”, which reflects Davidson’s roots with early American History. Today, Davidson provides a vigorous undergraduate education experience in a residential environment and is committed to cultivating compassion, creativity, resilience and moral courage in its students.

Academic Programs

Over 25 majors, several minors and interdisciplinary studies are offered through Davidson with over 800 courses to choose from. Davidson’s majors include Anthropology; Biology; Classics; Economics; Environmental Studies; History; Interdisciplinary Studies; Mathematics; Music; Philosophy; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; and Theatre. Pre-professional Programs are also offered with options including Pre-Education, Pre-Engineering (Dual-degree), Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Ministry, and Pre-Military. Nearly 80% of Davidson’s students choose study or work internationally through one of the school’s off-campus programs offered in over 15 locations worldwide.

Davidson College is committed to keeping classes small in order to enable professors to work closely and individually with students, engaging them with original research and creative work in the arts, sciences, social sciences and humanities. Davidson’s Honor Code allows students take self-scheduled and unproctored exams for the purpose of allowing student freedom and responsibility. Davidson’s liberal arts education emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication and life-long learning in an effort to prepare students for lives of leadership and service.

Student Life

Davidson’s enrollment reaches nearly 2,000, with students hailing from over 45 states and 35+ nations. Approximately 95% of students choose to live on campus and first-year students are paired with a roommate and assigned a double-room in one of Davidson’s residence halls. Housing for continuing students are drawn through a lottery process, which is a long-standing Davidson tradition. A variety of housing options are available to upperclassmen, including traditional residence halls and on-campus apartment buildings. More than 200 student-led organizations and clubs exist on campus, giving students the opportunity to connect with fellow classmates who share common interests.

One of Davidson’s most celebrated traditions is its “Cake Race”. Once mandatory, Davidson’s Cake Race is now a celebration for first-year students and local residents. The Race was established in 1930 by Coach Pete Whittle in an effort to identify hidden track and field talent in the freshmen class; as a motivation to run a mile and a half in the hot Carolina sunshine, winners were to receive a homemade cake of their choosing. Members of the community faithfully donate cakes each year and the Cake Race has become a trademark tradition and a (now voluntary) part of the first-year experience.

Ready to start your journey?

Ready to start your journey?