ASU vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Davidson College in Davidson, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Davidson College 8:1.

ASU vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Davidson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Davidson ($14,978 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 24.7% lower than at Davidson College ($12,868 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 749.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $56,831 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.5% higher at Davidson than at Appalachian State University (about $39,198 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Appalachian State University (65% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 545.8% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($51,755 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Davidson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Davidson and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 270 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

ASU vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Davidson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($175 vs. $211).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.