Davidson vs. Fisk University

Comparable Facts

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

Davidson College is larger than Fisk University based on total student enrollment (1,869 students vs. 1,059 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Fisk University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fisk University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Fisk University 12:1.

Davidson vs. Fisk University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Fisk University? 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 Fisk University than Davidson ($18,595 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fisk University are 15% lower than at Davidson College ($14,540 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 149.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fisk University (about $38,552 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $25,858.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.1% higher at Davidson than at Fisk University (about $38,552 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $25,858.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fisk University than at Davidson College (87% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 126.9% larger than aid received by Fisk University students ($51,755 vs. $22,811).

Davidson vs. Fisk University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 140 points higher than at Fisk University (1330).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at Fisk University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Fisk University 1140/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Fisk University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Fisk University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Fisk University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Fisk University (3.1).
• Fisk University has a higher acceptance rate (37.4%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 8.8% at Fisk University.

Davidson vs. Fisk University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Fisk University? 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 Fisk University's (45%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $27,600 more per year than Fisk University graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $35,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Fisk University graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisk University graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisk University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 38%)

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.