Strong graduate outcomes with earnings well above peer institutions. Robust earnings growth over time.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Davidson graduates experience steady earnings growth throughout their post-graduation careers. Starting from $62,866 six years after enrollment, median earnings rise to $71,470 at eight years and reach $81,400 at ten years.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduates from this institution significantly outperform peers — earnings are 61% higher than similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $18,688 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Davidson College ranks at the 96.2nd percentile for return on investment, delivering top-tier performance through strong post-graduation earnings relative to educational costs. The institution generates $8,422 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 82.8th percentile for this value-added measure.
Based on program mix analysis with low confidence, approximately 40-50% of Davidson graduates continue to graduate or professional study. This high c...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Davidson's liberal arts structure limits detailed program-level earnings data in federal databases, as individual departments may not meet federal reporting thresholds for privacy protection. However, the institution's overall strong earnings outcomes suggest consistent quality across academic departments rather than reliance on a few high-earning programs.
Liberal arts graduates typically pursue diverse career paths including business, law, medicine, education, and public service, creating varied earnings trajectories that contribute to Davidson's overall return performance. The institution's emphasis on critical thinking, communication skills, and intellectual breadth prepares graduates for career advancement across multiple fields, supporting long-term earnings growth rather than immediate post-graduation income maximization.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution at Davidson spans from $60,136 at the 25th percentile to $116,852 at the 75th percentile, representing a 1.9:1 ratio that reflects diverse career paths available to liberal arts graduates. This spread indicates that while some graduates pursue lower-earning but meaningful careers in public service or education, others achieve substantial financial success in business, finance, or professional fields.
