Davidson vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Washington is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Davidson vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington than Davidson ($21,800 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 16.7% lower than at Davidson College ($14,250 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 340% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $49,770 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.7% higher at Davidson than at University of Mary Washington (about $36,850 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Davidson College (99% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 393.3% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($51,755 vs. $10,491).

Davidson vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 200 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Davidson vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.