Davidson vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Davidson College is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (1,869 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Davidson vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($27,720 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 6.3% lower than at Davidson College ($16,028 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $8,290 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at Davidson than at The University of the South (about $8,290 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Davidson College (98% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 39.2% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($51,755 vs. $37,171).

Davidson vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 140 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Davidson vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Sewanee? 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 The University of the South's (86%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Sewanee graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sewanee graduates ($175 vs. $196).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sewanee students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.