Davidson College's published cost of attendance is $79,475, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $9,497; middle-income families pay around $6,759; higher-income families pay approximately $42,346.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $79,475 |
| Tuition and Fees | $64,410 |
| Room and Board | $17,100 |
| Books and Supplies | $825 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$62,096 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $17,379 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,497 |
| $30–48k | $5,354 |
| $48–75k | $6,759 |
| $75–110k | $18,616 |
| $110k+ | $42,346 |
Davidson College's published cost of attendance is $79,475, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $9,497; middle-income families pay around $6,759; higher-income families pay approximately $42,346. Azimuth ranks Davidson College #578 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Davidson College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to close the gap between sticker price and what families are expected to contribute based on demonstrated need. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most admitted students receive need-based scholarships, and work-study is available as part of the aid package. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,688, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $52,622; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $72,718, median federal debt of $18,688 projects to a monthly payment of about $211 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Davidson College earn median 4-year earnings of $72,718, placing Davidson College in the 73.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $57,042 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates also earn beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions, placing Davidson College in the 73.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Davidson College #398 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at Davidson College reflects its concentration in Social Sciences and related analytical disciplines. Social Sciences accounts for 30% of degrees, followed by other STEM fields at 4% and Arts at 3% — a distribution that channels graduates into finance, consulting, law, and graduate-track fields where earnings tend to rise sharply in the years following graduation. The highest aggregate-return major, Psychology, General, combines meaningful cohort scale with strong four-year earnings, making it a key driver of the institution's overall return profile. Among the most popular programs, Economics (75 graduates), Political Science ((64 graduates), and Biology, General (60 graduates) enroll the largest shares of students and reflect Davidson College's liberal arts breadth, while programs such as Psychology, General and Computer Science tend to cluster graduates into higher-earning early-career roles. As a focused liberal arts institution in NC, Davidson College graduates a relatively small cohort each year, which concentrates alumni networks and supports strong employer relationships in finance, consulting, and professional services — fields where its graduates .
