Davidson vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Davidson vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($27,720 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 3.4% lower than at Villanova University ($17,100 vs. $17,694).
• Villanova University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,366 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Villanova than at Davidson College (about $3,366 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Villanova University (65% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($51,755 vs. $47,609).

Davidson vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 20 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Villanova 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; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Davidson vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $9,497 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($175 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Davidson students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.