Davidson vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

Denison University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Denison University 9:1.

Davidson vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Denison? 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 Davidson College than Denison ($27,720 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 4.1% lower than at Davidson College ($16,400 vs. $17,100).
• Denison University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $2,590 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Denison than at Davidson College (about $2,590 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Davidson College (94% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 35.6% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($51,755 vs. $38,179).

Davidson vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson or Denison? 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 Denison and Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 60 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Davidson vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.