Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston University vs Davidson College
- Boston Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 18
- Davidson Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Davidson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,379 vs Boston University's $24,402, 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 $83,238 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than Davidson College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Davidson
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,379, roughly $7,023 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,688, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (16% 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 University over Davidson College. Median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment vs $81,400.
Pick Davidson College over Boston University. Net price $17,379 vs $24,402.
Pick Boston University over Davidson College. 2% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston University and Davidson College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Boston University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Davidson College takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,469.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston University 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 $7,023 a year below Boston University's $24,402. Graduates of Davidson College also borrow less: median debt of $18,688, against $23,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $28,092 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 University graduates report median earnings of $83,238, compared with $81,400 at Davidson College. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Davidson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% 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 University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. Boston University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston University 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 University 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 $7,023 a year, yet Boston University graduates earn $1,838 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Davidson College leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $24,402 runs well above Davidson College's $17,379.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,250, against $18,688 at Davidson College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston University's enrollment of 18,248 far exceeds Davidson College's 1,867.
- Business and consulting-track students: Davidson College has less business program depth, and Boston University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Davidson holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 35% 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 (31.3% 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 University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.
After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.
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
Boston University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (16% of enrollment), while Davidson leads with Sociology (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Davidson).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Davidson College concentrates in Psychology, 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 University or Davidson College?
Boston University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 13% at Davidson College.
Which is more affordable, Boston University or Davidson College?
Davidson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,379 after aid versus $24,402 at Boston University.
Do Boston University or Davidson College graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: median earnings of $83,238 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,400 at Davidson College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston University or Davidson College?
Davidson College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 89%.
Boston University vs Davidson College: which is better for social mobility?
Boston University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Boston University or Davidson College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Davidson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston University 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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