Head-to-Head Comparison
Davidson College vs Duke University
- Davidson Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 17
- Duke Wins
- 25
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Davidson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 compared to Davidson College's $17,379. Students who choose Davidson College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,400 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Davidson
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,379, roughly $12,233 a year less
Duke
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, 20% more than Davidson College
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Davidson graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (23% of degrees); Duke in Engineering (15%). 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 Duke University over Davidson College. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment vs $81,400.
Pick Davidson College over Duke University. Net price $17,379 vs $29,612.
Pick Duke University over Davidson College. 1.6% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Pick Duke University over Davidson College. 96% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Davidson College and Duke University are close on paper, but Duke University 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
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Davidson College takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,469 to 1,548.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Duke 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 $12,233 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Duke University also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $18,688.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,932 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, Duke University graduates report median earnings of $97,800, compared with $81,400 at Davidson College. That is a 20% advantage. Set against borrowing, Duke University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% 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
Duke University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 91%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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
Duke University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. Duke 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, Duke 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 Duke 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 $12,233 a year, yet Duke University graduates earn $16,400 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. Davidson College concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while Duke University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,688, against $13,000 at Duke University.
- Engineering-focused students: Duke University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,612 runs well above Davidson College's $17,379.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Duke University's enrollment of 6,442 far exceeds Davidson College's 1,867.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Duke holds onto its admits more tightly: 59% of admitted students enroll, versus 47% at Davidson — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Davidson (29.1% Early Decision admit rate vs 17.3%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Davidson, where only about 50% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
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.
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.
On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.
Rankings They Appear On
Davidson College and Duke University appear together in 6 rankings. On the Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina, Duke University ranks #1 — Duke University outranks Davidson College by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Davidson's top program is Sociology (23% of enrollment), while Duke leads with Mechanical Engineering (15%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Davidson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Duke).
The two schools feed different job markets. Davidson College is strongest in Psychology, while Duke University concentrates in Engineering. 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 Davidson College or Duke University?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 13% at Davidson College.
Which is more affordable, Davidson College or Duke University?
Davidson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,379 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Davidson College or Duke University graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,400 at Davidson College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Davidson College or Duke University?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 91%.
Davidson College vs Duke University: which is better for social mobility?
Duke University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Davidson College or Duke University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Davidson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Duke 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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