Davidson vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Davidson vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Davidson ($18,427 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 13.5% lower than at Davidson College ($14,800 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 195.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $42,607 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Davidson than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $4,898 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (65% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 80.2% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($51,755 vs. $28,715).

Davidson vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 10 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming UVA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 40% at UVA.

Davidson vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Davidson College's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($175 vs. $201).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.