Davidson College: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Davidson College: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Davidson, North CarolinaLocation
CollegeSchool type
Estd1837established year
1810enrollment
SACSSCOC
Private (Not for Profit)
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Updated on - Sep 22, 2026

Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in the town of Davidson, North Carolina, twenty miles north of Charlotte. It ranks #13 on the US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges 2026 list, a category covering small bachelor’s-focused institutions distinct from research universities.

The college is undergraduate-only, awarding Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees across 29 majors and 40 minors, all taught in English. Popular concentrations for international applicants include Economics, Biology, Political Science, Computer Science, and Public Health. Davidson runs a single Fall intake, uses the Common Application at no application fee, and fits Indian students who want small residential classes rather than a large research campus. Compare shortlists against other universities in the USA before finalising.

  • Ranking: #13 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges 2026
  • Acceptance rate: 12.6% (most recent admitted class)
  • Intake: Fall (August)
  • UG tuition 2026-27: USD 73,090 per year (INR 69.07 lakh)
  • International students: 8% of enrolment, drawn from 50 countries
  • Total cost of attendance 2026-27: USD 92,520 (INR 87.43 lakh)

Also Check: MS Universities in USA

The Davidson Trust meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students with grants and campus employment, with no loans in aid packages. Indian applicants submit the CSS Profile alongside the Common Application, and take TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test unless they qualify for a waiver under the college’s English-medium schooling exemption. Compare admission routes across the country in the study in the USA guide.


Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026

Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). Early Decision I closes 15 November 2026, with binding decisions released 12 December 2026. Early Decision II applications close 4 January 2027 with decisions on 30 January 2027. Regular Decision applications close 11 January 2027, with decisions on 1 April 2027. Indian applicants should complete WES or ECE credential verification 8 to 10 weeks before their chosen deadline.

Popular Courses and Fees at Davidson College 2027

Davidson College charges one flat tuition for every bachelor’s programme, so major choice does not change the sticker price. The 2026-27 tuition is USD 73,090 per academic year, and every degree runs four years across two semesters. The table below covers the ten most-awarded undergraduate majors in the recent graduating class.

Popular Undergraduate Majors at Davidson College

MajorTotal Fee (USD, 4 years)Total Fee (INR lakh)Entry Requirement
Economics (Econometrics and Quantitative Economics)292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher (recommended)
Biology (General Biological Sciences)292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher including Biology (recommended)
Political Science and Government292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher (recommended)
Computer Science292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher including Mathematics (recommended)
Psychology292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher (recommended)
Public Health292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher (recommended)
Neuroscience292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher including Biology (recommended)
English292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher (recommended)
History292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher (recommended)
Chemistry292,360276.28 lakhClass 12 with 90% or higher including Chemistry (recommended)

[Source: Davidson College Cost of Attendance 2026-27, Davidson College Registrar]

Insider note: Indian applicants gravitate toward Economics, Computer Science, and pre-medicine tracks under Biology or Chemistry, since these link cleanly to STEM OPT roles or Indian medical entrance pathways after graduation.

Read More: Davidson College Fees and Cost of Living Guide


Davidson College Admission 2027

Davidson College admits first-year students for Fall entry only, and Indian applicants apply through the Common Application across three rounds. The Davidson College admissions cycle for the Class of 2031 opens with Early Decision I in the autumn of 2026.

Davidson College Application Deadlines Fall 2027

MilestoneDateNotes for Indian Applicants
Early Decision I15 November 2026Binding round; decision by 12 December 2026
Early Decision II4 January 2027Binding round; decision by 30 January 2027
Regular Decision11 January 2027Non-binding round; decision by 1 April 2027
Credential verification (WES or ECE)Start 8 to 10 weeks before deadlineRecommended for Class 12 marksheets and predicted results
Programme startLate August 2027International orientation precedes Fall semester

[Source: Davidson College Admission and Aid Timeline]

Planning note: Early Decision rounds carry an average acceptance rate roughly double Regular Decision, but binding commitment means Indian applicants must clear financial aid readiness before applying, since no visible aid figure exists before the offer.

Read More: Davidson College Admissions Guide for Indian Students


Davidson College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Davidson College is test-optional and does not publish minimum grade cutoffs, so Indian applicants should treat published averages as targets, not floors.

  • Academic record: Class 12 with 90% or higher across CBSE, ICSE, or state boards (recommended for competitive admission)
  • English test: TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test; specific minimums are not published on the university page, verify at the TOEFL score guide and confirm with admissions
  • Application documents: Common Application, secondary school report, two teacher recommendations, and one counsellor letter
  • Application fee: Permanently waived by Davidson College for all applicants

Note: Davidson waives the English proficiency test for applicants who scored at least 670 in the SAT reading and writing section, followed an English-medium curriculum for four years, or took English as an IB Diploma subject.


Davidson College Acceptance Rate 2027

Davidson College reported a 12.6% acceptance rate for the most recent admitted class, making it one of the more selective liberal arts colleges in the United States. This figure reflects the Class of 2029 admissions cycle as published by the college.

Rates historically sit between 15% and 20%, and the drop reflects a wider selectivity trend across top US liberal arts colleges since test-optional policies expanded the applicant pool. Early Decision rounds typically post higher admit rates than Regular Decision.

Reality check: A 12.6% acceptance rate places Davidson in the same admissions band as Bowdoin and Middlebury, and Indian applicants without a hooked profile should treat it as a reach even with a 95%+ Class 12 record.

Read More: Davidson College Acceptance Rate


Davidson College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

The total annual cost of attendance at Davidson College for 2026-27 is USD 92,520 (INR 87.43 lakh), covering tuition, housing, meals, books, and personal expenses.

Davidson College Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

Davidson charges a flat tuition across all bachelor’s programmes, revised each academic year by the board of trustees.

ComponentAmount (USD, per year)Amount (INR lakh, per year)
Tuition73,09069.07 lakh
Housing and Meals16,80015.88 lakh
Books, Personal, Transport2,6302.49 lakh
Total Cost of Attendance92,52087.43 lakh

[Source: Davidson College Cost of Attendance 2026-27]

Monthly Cost of Living in Davidson NC for Indian Students

Davidson town sits in a suburban college setting with lower housing costs than Charlotte’s downtown, and most first-year students live on campus.

ExpenseMonthly (USD, estimated)Monthly (INR lakh, estimated)
Accommodation (on-campus)1,0500.99 lakh
Food and Meal Plan4500.43 lakh
Transportation600.06 lakh
Books and Supplies1100.10 lakh
Personal and Health1900.18 lakh
Total Monthly1,8601.76 lakh
Total Annual16,74015.82 lakh

[Source: Davidson College published Cost of Attendance 2026-27 (estimated monthly split)]

Insider note: Housing is guaranteed for four years and over 90% of undergraduates live on campus, so Indian students rarely pay off-campus rent, keeping cost of living tightly bound to the college board rate.

Read More: Cost of Living in USA for International Students


Davidson College Campus, Facilities and Student Life

Davidson College’s 665-acre wooded campus sits in the small town of Davidson, twenty miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina.

  • Location and transport: Davidson town is a walkable college setting connected to Charlotte by regional bus and Amtrak, with Charlotte Douglas International Airport an hour’s drive south
  • Housing: On-campus housing is guaranteed for all four years and over 90% of undergraduates live on site, keeping predictable board costs in the cost of attendance
  • Academic facilities: The Wall Academic Building, E. Craig Wall Sr. Academic Center, and Baker Sports Complex anchor teaching, research, and Division I athletics
  • Indian student community: International students form 8% of enrolment drawn from 50 countries, with Indian nationals concentrated in Economics, Computer Science, and pre-medicine tracks

What Indian students say: Small class sizes and direct faculty access are cited most often, alongside the tight residential community, while some note the small-town setting requires initiative to access urban internships in Charlotte during term.


Davidson College Scholarships 2027

Davidson College offers need-based aid through the Davidson Trust and one flagship international scholarship, with all admitted international applicants automatically considered for available support.

ScholarshipTypeAward ValueEligibilityDeadline
The Davidson TrustNeed-basedMeets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and campus employment, no loansAll admitted students including internationalsTied to application deadline (ED I 15 Nov 2026, ED II or RD 4-11 Jan 2027)
Alvarez Scholars ProgramNeed-based, international onlyNeed-based grant covering demonstrated need for outstanding international applicantsInternational applicants who apply for financial aid; no separate applicationTied to application deadline
Merit ScholarshipsMerit-basedPartial to full tuition awards, exact values not publishedApplicants with extraordinary academic or leadership potential; verify at official pageTied to application deadline

[Source: Davidson College Financial Aid for International Students]

Planning note: International aid at Davidson is described by the college as competitive and limited, so Indian applicants must complete the Financial Verification Form before the CSS Profile whenever expected family contribution exceeds USD 5,000 per year.

Read More: Davidson College Scholarships Guide


Davidson College Rankings 2027

Davidson College’s strongest published ranking is #13 among US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges 2026, a category covering small, primarily undergraduate US institutions distinct from research universities ranked in the National Universities list.

Ranking BodyLatest EditionPrevious EditionTwo Editions Back
US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges (USA)2026: #132025: verify at US News Best Colleges2024: verify at US News Best Colleges
QS World University Rankings2027: Not ranked2026: Not ranked2025: Not ranked
THE World University Rankings2026: Not ranked2025: Not ranked2024: Not ranked
ARWU Shanghai2025: Not ranked2024: Not ranked2023: Not ranked

[Source: US News Best Colleges, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Times Higher Education, ShanghaiRanking]

QS, THE, and ARWU exclude Davidson because their methodologies weight doctoral research output and international student volume, both structurally low at a small US liberal arts college. Indian applicants should weight US News alongside employer and graduate school placement data.

Key insight: A US News top-15 liberal arts rank matters for US graduate school and consulting recruiting, but has weaker recognition in Indian government screening lists that lean on QS or THE, so applicants relying on Indian post-return signalling should verify degree recognition separately.

Read More: Davidson College Rankings Analysis


Davidson College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

Davidson College reports strong post-graduation outcomes for its undergraduate cohort, with the Center for Career Development coordinating recruiting, alumni mentoring, and graduate school advising for all students.

  • Career outcomes rate: Over 95% of recent graduating classes report employment, graduate study, or fellowship placement within six months, per Davidson’s career outcomes surveys
  • Median starting salary: USD 65,000 (INR 61.43 lakh) for recent bachelor’s graduates, verify at official Career Development outcomes report
  • Top sectors: Financial services, consulting, technology, education, healthcare, and government are the most consistently cited destinations
  • Representative recruiters: Bank of America, Deloitte, Wells Fargo, and Teach For America appear on the college’s disclosed recruiter list; Indian graduates commonly move to consulting and technology roles
  • Post-study work visa: Indian graduates on F-1 visas access 12 months of OPT, or 36 months for STEM majors, giving multi-year US work eligibility before H-1B sponsorship becomes necessary

Insider note: Davidson’s alumni network in Charlotte’s banking cluster gives finance and analytics recruiters an unusually deep pipeline for such a small college, and Indian STEM graduates often use the 36-month STEM OPT window to convert to H-1B via Charlotte-based employers.

Davidson College vs Peer Universities

Davidson competes for Indian applicants against other top US liberal arts colleges, most of which run similar-sized bachelor’s programmes with meets-full-need financial aid policies.

UniversityUS News Best Liberal Arts Colleges 2026Acceptance RateAnnual Tuition (USD)Annual Tuition (INR lakh)Differentiator
Williams College#18% (estimated)68,29064.53 lakhTutorial system modelled on Oxford
Amherst College#29% (estimated)73,45069.41 lakhOpen curriculum with no core requirements
Bowdoin College#79% (estimated)72,34068.36 lakhCoastal Maine location with dining reputation
Middlebury College#1113% (estimated)72,86068.85 lakhLanguage and international studies focus
Davidson College#1312.6%73,09069.07 lakhDavidson Trust no-loan aid, Charlotte proximity, D1 athletics
Wellesley College#413% (estimated)67,36063.66 lakhWomen’s college with Boston access

Davidson stands out for pairing top-20 liberal arts academics with proximity to a major US banking hub, and its no-loan Davidson Trust policy remains rare even inside this peer set. Indian applicants comparing across this tier should weigh Charlotte’s finance and analytics recruiting depth against the more rural coastal settings of Bowdoin or Middlebury.

Davidson College fits Indian applicants who want a US bachelor’s on a residential liberal arts campus, plan to invest INR 87.43 lakh per year for four years, and value professor-led small classes over large research lectures. The Davidson Trust, F-1 STEM OPT eligibility, and Charlotte finance access anchor the return-on-investment case against a USD 65,000 median starting salary. Confirm degree pathway via F-1 student visa requirements.

Davidson is not the fit for applicants who need graduate degrees on the same campus, prefer a large research university, or cannot make a binding Early Decision commitment; Amherst College offers a similar profile with an open curriculum and a slightly stronger US News position.


Davidson College FAQs

Ques. Does Davidson College charge an application fee for Indian applicants?

Ans. Davidson College permanently waived its USD 50 admission application fee for all applicants, including Indian candidates. There is no fee for the Common Application submission or for the CSS Profile beyond the standard College Board processing charge. Financial aid applicants must additionally complete the Financial Verification Form when the family contribution exceeds USD 5,000 per year.

Ques. Can Davidson College students work off-campus on an F-1 visa?

Ans. F-1 visa holders at Davidson College may not work off-campus during the first academic year. From the second year, students access Curricular Practical Training linked to internships, and after graduation qualify for 12 months of Optional Practical Training or 36 months for STEM majors. On-campus employment is available from day one under standard F-1 rules and typically counts toward the Davidson Trust work-study expectation.

Ques. What documents does Davidson College require for Indian transcript evaluation?

Ans. Davidson College accepts official Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets uploaded through the Common Application, with predicted results where Class 12 exams are pending. Applicants using WES or ECE for credential evaluation should start the process 8 to 10 weeks before their application deadline. Board result verification and apostille attestation may be requested after admission but are not required at application stage.

Ques. Is Davidson College test-optional for Indian applicants in 2027?

Ans. Davidson College is test-optional for the Fall 2027 cycle, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission. Indian applicants may still submit strong scores if these strengthen their profile, and a 670 SAT reading and writing score also waives the English proficiency test requirement. English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo remains required unless one of the exemption conditions applies.

Ques. Are Indian students eligible for the Alvarez Scholars Program at Davidson College?

Ans. Yes, Indian applicants are automatically considered for the Alvarez Scholars Program when they apply for financial aid, with no separate application required. The programme provides need-based scholarship support to outstanding international students from anywhere in the world. Selection is competitive and international aid at Davidson is described by the college as limited, so early submission of the CSS Profile is recommended.

Ques. Does Davidson College offer conditional admission for Indian applicants without a language test?

Ans. Davidson College does not currently offer a formal conditional admission pathway with a pre-sessional English track. Applicants must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score at application unless they qualify for the SAT 670, four-year English-medium curriculum, or IB Diploma English exemption. Applicants who do not meet the English test threshold should reapply after retesting rather than expect a conditional route.

Ques. Which Indian banks provide education loans recognised for Davidson College?

Ans. State Bank of India, HDFC Credila, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and Avanse recognise Davidson College under their premier US university list for education loans. Loan amounts up to INR 1.5 crore are typically available for the full cost of attendance, with collateral or co-borrower requirements varying by lender. Applicants should secure an I-20 admission letter from Davidson before finalising loan documentation for F-1 visa financial proof.

Ques. What are the F-1 visa financial proof requirements for Davidson College?

Ans. Davidson College issues the I-20 form once admitted Indian applicants show liquid financial proof for one academic year of the USD 92,520 cost of attendance for 2026-27. Proof must show funds available at the time of I-20 processing through bank statements, sanctioned education loan letters, or verified sponsor affidavits. Any Davidson Trust or Alvarez Scholars aid granted reduces the amount of external proof required proportionally.

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4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 61.3 L/YrUSD 63,580 /Yr

4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 61.3 L/YrUSD 63,580 /Yr

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4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 61.3 L/YrUSD 63,580 /Yr
4 years
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Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
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4 years
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Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
Entry Requirement: Duolingo-130
INR 61.3 L/YrUSD 63,580 /Yr

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Davidson College Ranking

2019

Center for World University Rankings logo

Overall 1866 out of 2000 in Global Ranking

#311 out of 329 in USA 2019

Forbes logo
Overall 48 out of 650 in National Ranking
( #45 out of 507 in USA 2019)

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Davidson College Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
VueVille Future Technology ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 96,350/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
R&D Systems ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 1.4 L/Yr$1,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
QS Connect Master’s ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 4.8 L/Yr$5,000Level Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based
BL Mandhana ScholarshipsScholarship per student₹ 9.6 L/Yr$10,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Go Clean ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 3.4 L/Yr$3,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Business Administration ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based

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Davidson College Admissions

  • Early Action Deadlines

    Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)
    Important Date: April1 (Application results)
  • Regular Decision Deadlines

    Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)
    Important Date: April1 (Application results)

Davidson College Exam Scores

ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
Undergraduate
SAT13901310147053
Check Detailed Score
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing700660740-
Mathematics690650730-
ACT32303366

Attendance Cost

₹6,504,589

attendance cost

The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

Tuition fees
Undergraduate Programs
₹6,504,589 / Year
On Campus
Books & Supplies
₹96,350 / Year
On campus, Room & Board
₹1,344,468 / Year
On Campus, Other Expenses
₹171,021 / Year
Off Campus
Off campus (not with family), Room & Board
₹1,344,468 / Year
Off campus (not with family), Other Expenses
₹171,021 / Year
Off campus (with family), Room & Board
₹144,525 / Year
Off campus (with family), Other Expenses
₹144,525 / Year

Davidson College Accreditations

Institutional accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Faculty

Total FacultyFull TimePart TimeGraduate Assistants
27402583157-

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