Davidson vs. Lipscomb

Comparable Facts

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

Lipscomb University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (5,017 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Lipscomb University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lipscomb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Lipscomb University 13:1.

Davidson vs. Lipscomb Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb University than Davidson ($27,695 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lipscomb University are 9.8% lower than at Davidson College ($15,424 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 58.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lipscomb (about $23,838 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $40,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at Davidson than at Lipscomb University (about $23,838 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $40,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lipscomb University than at Davidson College (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 80.7% larger than aid received by Lipscomb University students ($51,755 vs. $28,645).

Davidson vs. Lipscomb Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 200 points higher than at Lipscomb (1270).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Lipscomb).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Lipscomb University 1160/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Lipscomb University 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Lipscomb - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lipscomb (3.73).
• Lipscomb has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 24.9% at Lipscomb.

Davidson vs. Lipscomb Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb University's (63%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than Lipscomb graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Lipscomb graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lipscomb graduates ($175 vs. $211).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lipscomb students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 68%)

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.