Davidson Admission Requirements
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Davidson Admission Overview
Davidson admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in North Carolina. Last year Davidson admitted 13.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.81 GPA (A-) and SAT 1400-1530 / ACT 31-34. Davidson is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Davidson is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Davidson Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very High
Admission difficulty for Davidson College
Acceptance Rate
The Davidson acceptance rate is 13.4%. Last year, only 1,085 of 8,114 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina and the 48th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Davidson and can you get accepted?
Davidson is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
Davidson College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.81. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 48% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Davidson GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.81Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.81
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Davidson typically have around a 3.81 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.81 average does not by itself determine admission. Davidson is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
32% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #5 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Davidson Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Davidson College is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and omitting them is not a penalty. Davidson superscores both exams, does not consider the writing section, and accepts self-reported scores for review. If you enroll after submitting scores, official reports are required to match your self-report. Homeschooled and non-traditional-school applicants are strongly encouraged to send scores, but they are not required.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/admission-process-help/testing-policy
Davidson SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1400-1530Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
28%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 695
- Math 705
- Composite 1400
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 750
- Math 780
- Composite 1530
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Davidson typically score around a 1470 SAT (middle 50% 1400–1530) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. Davidson ranks #2 in the state of North Carolina and #60 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1400 to 1530
Matching last year's 1400–1530 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
Davidson is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1470 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Davidson ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
31-34Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
23%25th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 31
75th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 34
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Davidson typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Davidson places #3 among colleges in North Carolina and #79 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34
Landing in last year's 31–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to Davidson without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
74% of Davidson College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Davidson chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Davidson College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 7, 2027Days left to Apply
129Applicants have 129 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 7, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Davidson College is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Davidson is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 13.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.81 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1400-1530); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Davidson College often consider these colleges
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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198385.
GPA calculator: Davidson College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026