Davidson vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Davidson College is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (1,869 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Davidson vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Davidson ($21,267 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 30.2% lower than at Davidson College ($11,930 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 71.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $26,910 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.8% higher at Davidson than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $26,910 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Davidson College (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 73% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($51,755 vs. $29,923).

Davidson vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 220 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Davidson vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 57%)

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.