Head-to-Head Comparison
Davidson College vs Johns Hopkins University
- Davidson Wins
- 9
- Tied
- 16
- Johns Hopkins Wins
- 28
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Davidson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Johns Hopkins University achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $18,809 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.
53 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 $1,430 a year less
Johns Hopkins
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,555 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Davidson College
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, 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); Johns Hopkins in Biology & Biomedical (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 Johns Hopkins University over Davidson College. Median earnings of $87,555 ten years after enrollment vs $81,400.
Pick Davidson College over Johns Hopkins University. Net price $17,379 vs $18,809.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over Davidson College. 2.2% mobility rate vs 0.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Davidson College and Johns Hopkins University are close on paper, but Johns Hopkins 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
Johns Hopkins 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 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Johns Hopkins 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 $1,430 a year below Johns Hopkins University's $18,809. Graduates of Johns Hopkins University also borrow less: median debt of $10,250, against $18,688.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $5,720 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, Johns Hopkins University graduates report median earnings of $87,555, compared with $81,400 at Davidson College. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Johns Hopkins University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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
Johns Hopkins University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. Johns Hopkins University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins 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 $1,430 a year, yet Johns Hopkins University graduates earn $6,155 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 Social Sciences, Psychology, while Johns Hopkins University leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. 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 $10,250 at Johns Hopkins University.
- Engineering-focused students: Johns Hopkins University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Johns Hopkins University's enrollment of 5,693 far exceeds Davidson College's 1,867.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Davidson holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 45% at Johns Hopkins — 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 10.9%). 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 3 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.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is tailored for driven students who are ready to engage deeply in their education. The standout programs here include Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Social Sciences, and Health Professions, making it a solid choice for those interested in health, technology, and scientific research. The school's tight-knit community of about 5,700 students fosters collaboration and a culture of inquiry, appealing to individuals who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment.
After graduation, alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $87,555 ten years post-degree. This figure reflects the value of a degree from Johns Hopkins in the job market, particularly in fields like engineering and health professions. While 19% of students receive Pell Grants, this indicates that the university is accessible to a range of economic backgrounds, allowing for a diverse student body to grow and succeed.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid comes to about $18,809, which is quite manageable given the high graduation rate of 94%. With a median debt of $10,250, graduates leave with a reasonable financial burden, setting them up for success. Students who make the most of their time here are often those who are proactive, curious, and willing to seek out opportunities in research and internships, setting themselves up for fruitful careers ahead.
Rankings They Appear On
Davidson College is featured on the Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Davidson's top program is Sociology (23% of enrollment), while Johns Hopkins leads with Biology (23%).
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 Johns Hopkins).
The two schools feed different job markets. Davidson College is strongest in Psychology, while Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins University?
Johns Hopkins University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 13% at Davidson College.
Which is more affordable, Davidson College or Johns Hopkins University?
Davidson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,379 after aid versus $18,809 at Johns Hopkins University.
Do Davidson College or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,555 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,400 at Davidson College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Davidson College or Johns Hopkins University?
Johns Hopkins University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 91%.
Davidson College vs Johns Hopkins University: which is better for social mobility?
Johns Hopkins University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Davidson College or Johns Hopkins University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Davidson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Johns Hopkins 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Davidson and Johns Hopkins stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
