Davidson vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Davidson vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Davidson ($15,522 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 16.2% lower than at Davidson College ($14,332 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 632% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $55,611 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.1% higher at Davidson than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $31,563 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (65% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 343.3% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($51,755 vs. $11,675).

Davidson vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 80 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Davidson vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $3,782 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($175 vs. $214).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.