Auburn vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Auburn University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Davidson College 8:1.

Auburn vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn 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 Auburn University than Davidson ($25,242 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 2.8% lower than at Davidson College ($16,626 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 399.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $51,520 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.4% higher at Davidson than at Auburn University (about $29,488 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at Davidson College (80% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 376% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($51,755 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn 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 Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 140 points higher than at Auburn (1330).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Auburn vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn 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 Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Auburn students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 73%)

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.