Head-to-Head Comparison
Clemson University vs Davidson College
- Clemson Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 16
- Davidson Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Davidson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,379 vs Clemson University's $22,253, 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
Clemson
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Davidson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $81,400 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than Clemson University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,379, roughly $4,874 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
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Clemson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (26% 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 Davidson College over Clemson University. Median earnings of $81,400 ten years after enrollment vs $71,513.
Pick Davidson College over Clemson University. Net price $17,379 vs $22,253.
Pick Clemson University over Davidson College. 1.2% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Pick Davidson College over Clemson University. 91% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Clemson University and Davidson College are close on paper, but Davidson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 Clemson University takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 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 $4,874 a year below Clemson University's $22,253. Graduates of Davidson College also borrow less: median debt of $18,688, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $19,496 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, Davidson College graduates report median earnings of $81,400, compared with $71,513 at Clemson University. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, Davidson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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.
Finishing the degree
Davidson College graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Clemson University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.2%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. Clemson University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Clemson 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 Clemson University if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Davidson College is harder to get into, with a 13% admit rate, but Clemson University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Clemson University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Engineering, 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 $22,253 runs well above Davidson College's $17,379.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,500, against $18,688 at Davidson College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Clemson University's enrollment of 23,300 far exceeds Davidson College's 1,867.
- Engineering-focused students: Clemson University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Davidson College has less business program depth, and Clemson 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 21% at Clemson — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Davidson offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Clemson does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public
Clemson University is a great fit for students who seek a strong sense of community and a variety of academic paths. With around 23,300 undergraduates, there’s a vibrant campus life, and the acceptance rate of 38% means it’s selective but still accessible for many. Students frequently dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Engineering, and Biology & Biomedical, which are well-regarded and align with industry needs.
Looking ahead, graduates from Clemson can expect promising outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $71,513, which reflects the value of their education in real-world terms. While the affordability of higher education continues to be a concern, Clemson’s net price after aid is around $22,253, making it a reasonable option for many families. This financial aspect is crucial, especially when considering long-term financial mobility.
On a practical level, students here graduate with a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable given their earning potential. Those who thrive at Clemson tend to be proactive and engaged, taking advantage of both educational and extracurricular opportunities. With a graduation rate of 87%, it’s clear that many find their stride and succeed in completing their degrees, setting them up for a bright future.
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
Clemson University is featured on the Best Colleges in South Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Clemson's top program is Business Administration (26% of enrollment), while Davidson leads with Sociology (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Clemson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Davidson).
The two schools feed different job markets. Clemson University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Engineering, 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 Clemson University or Davidson College?
Davidson College is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 38% at Clemson University.
Which is more affordable, Clemson University or Davidson College?
Davidson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,379 after aid versus $22,253 at Clemson University.
Do Clemson University or Davidson College graduates earn more?
Davidson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $81,400 ten years after enrollment, versus $71,513 at Clemson University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Clemson University or Davidson College?
Davidson College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 87%.
Clemson University vs Davidson College: which is better for social mobility?
Clemson University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.2% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Clemson University or Davidson College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Davidson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Clemson University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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