Davidson vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Davidson vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Davidson ($25,186 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 22.5% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($17,100 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,088 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Vanderbilt than at Davidson College (about $3,088 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Davidson College (67% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($64,404 vs. $51,755).

Davidson vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Davidson has a higher acceptance rate (13.4%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Davidson vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Vanderbilt? 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).

• The graduation rate at Davidson is the same as at Vanderbilt University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Davidson graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Davidson graduates ($144 vs. $175).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt 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.