Davidson vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Davidson vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia than Davidson ($24,488 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 20.9% lower than at Davidson College ($13,534 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 407.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $51,722 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.1% higher at Davidson than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $28,438 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Davidson College (91% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 625% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($51,755 vs. $7,139).

Davidson vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 200 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Davidson vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($175 vs. $240).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.