Head-to-Head Comparison
Davidson College vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Davidson Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 18
- North Carolina Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $11,655 vs Davidson College's $17,379, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill'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
Davidson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $81,400 ten years after enrollment, 13% more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina
- Lower cost: Average net price of $11,655, roughly $5,724 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Davidson graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (23% of degrees); North Carolina in Biology & Biomedical (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 Davidson College over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median earnings of $81,400 ten years after enrollment vs $72,200.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Davidson College. Net price $11,655 vs $17,379.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Davidson College. 1.2% 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are close on paper, but University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill takes 15%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,469 to 1,439.
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, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $11,655, about $5,724 a year below Davidson College's $17,379. Graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $18,688.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $22,896 before any change in aid. Choosing University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.2%; at Davidson College, it is 0.4%. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to keep costs and debt down; pick Davidson 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. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill saves about $5,724 a year, yet Davidson College graduates earn $9,200 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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. Davidson College concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $17,379 runs well above University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,688, against $14,000 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrollment of 20,752 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 0% at North Carolina — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Davidson offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; North Carolina does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. 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.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
With an acceptance rate of just 15%, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill attracts students who are ready to dive into a diverse range of studies, including Biology, Business, and Communications. This school is a great fit for those who thrive in a competitive environment and are looking for strong academic support. The impressive graduation rate of 92% indicates a solid commitment to student success, meaning you'll likely find yourself in a community that values achievement and collaboration.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $72,200 within a decade, which is a pretty solid starting point for many. This level of earning power suggests that the programs offered here are well-aligned with job market needs. Additionally, the cost of attendance is manageable, with a net price of $11,655 after aid, making it a compelling choice for those concerned about financial barriers.
When it comes to debt, the median load of $14,000 is relatively low compared to what many graduates face elsewhere. This means that students who manage their finances well can leave college with a degree of financial freedom. Generally, those who thrive here are driven and engaged, ready to take advantage of the rich academic and social resources that UNC Chapel Hill has to offer.
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 North Carolina leads with Biology (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 North Carolina).
The two schools feed different job markets. Davidson College is strongest in Psychology, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Davidson College is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 15% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which is more affordable, Davidson College or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is more affordable, with an average net price of $11,655 after aid versus $17,379 at Davidson College.
Do Davidson College or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn more?
Davidson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $81,400 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which has a better graduation rate, Davidson College or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 91%.
Davidson College vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: which is better for social mobility?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.2% versus 0.4%.
Should you choose Davidson College or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Davidson 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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