Davidson vs. Elon

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Elon University 11:1.

Davidson vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Elon? 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 Elon ($27,720 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 12.4% lower than at Davidson College ($14,985 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $17,452 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at Davidson than at Elon University (about $17,452 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at Davidson College (77% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 189.7% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($51,755 vs. $17,867).

Davidson vs. Elon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 260 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Elon University 1130/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Davidson vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Elon? 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 Elon University's (82%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($175 vs. $240).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elon students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.