Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston College vs Davidson College
- Boston Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 17
- Davidson Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Davidson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,379 vs Boston College's $41,704, Davidson College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Davidson College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, 28% more than Davidson College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Davidson
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,379, roughly $24,325 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,688, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); Davidson in Social Sciences (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Boston College over Davidson College. Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment vs $81,400.
Pick Davidson College over Boston College. Net price $17,379 vs $41,704.
Pick Boston College over Davidson College. 1.6% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston College and Davidson College are close on paper, but Davidson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Davidson College is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Boston College takes 16%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,507 to 1,469.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Davidson College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Davidson College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,379, about $24,325 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of Davidson College also borrow less: median debt of $18,688, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $97,300 before any change in aid. Choosing Davidson College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Boston College graduates report median earnings of $103,937, compared with $81,400 at Davidson College. That is a 28% advantage. Set against borrowing, Boston College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 28% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Boston College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. Boston College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Davidson College to keep costs and debt down; pick Boston College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Davidson College saves about $24,325 a year, yet Boston College graduates earn $22,537 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Davidson College is harder to get into, with a 13% admit rate, but Boston College posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.6%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Davidson College leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,704 runs well above Davidson College's $17,379.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston College's enrollment of 10,085 far exceeds Davidson College's 1,867.
- Business and consulting-track students: Davidson College has less business program depth, and Boston College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Davidson holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 43% at Boston — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Boston (33.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 29.1%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 16%, Boston College attracts students who are academically driven and ready to engage deeply with their studies. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Psychology, among others. If you’re looking for a community that values both rigorous academics and a strong sense of tradition, this is a place where you can thrive.
Once you graduate, you can expect to make, on average, $103,937 after ten years in the workforce. That’s a solid figure that speaks to the value of a degree from Boston College. Students who study here often find themselves well-prepared for the job market, which is crucial as we consider our financial futures. The blend of a strong curriculum and a supportive network can lead to successful career paths.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $41,704, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000. This debt load is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential after graduation. Boston College tends to attract students who are ready to invest in their education and take full advantage of the opportunities available, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private nonprofit
Davidson College is an ideal choice for students who thrive in a small, close-knit community, with an enrollment of just 1,867. With an acceptance rate of 13%, it attracts motivated individuals looking for a rigorous academic environment. Students here dive into a variety of programs, including Social Sciences, Biology and Biomedical fields, Psychology, Physical Sciences, and Computer Science and IT. This range of studies suggests a strong commitment to understanding both the human experience and the scientific world.
Looking at life after graduation, we can see that Davidson graduates tend to do quite well for themselves, with an impressive 10-year earnings average of $81,400. This figure reflects the value of a Davidson degree in the job market. The affordability factor is also noteworthy, as 18% of students receive Pell Grants, which helps to lighten the financial burden for those who need it most.
In terms of finances, the net price after aid is around $17,379, which is manageable for many families. Graduates leave with a median debt of $18,688, a relatively low figure that suggests a commitment to keeping education accessible. Those who tend to thrive at Davidson are often self-driven, academically inclined, and deeply engaged in their communities, making the most of both their education and the connections they build during their time here.
Rankings They Appear On
Davidson College is featured on the Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Davidson leads with Sociology (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Davidson).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Davidson College concentrates in Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston College or Davidson College?
Davidson College is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 16% at Boston College.
Which is more affordable, Boston College or Davidson College?
Davidson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,379 after aid versus $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Boston College or Davidson College graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,400 at Davidson College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston College or Davidson College?
Davidson College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 91%.
Boston College vs Davidson College: which is better for social mobility?
Boston College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Boston College or Davidson College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Davidson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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