Davidson vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Davidson vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College ($27,720 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 13.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,100 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $988 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Lafayette College than at Davidson College (about $988 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Lafayette College (65% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($51,755 vs. $44,707).

Davidson vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 40 points higher than at Lafayette College (1430).
• Incoming Davidson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Davidson vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Davidson students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.