Quad

Admissions

Getting in, fall 2024

Davidson admits about 1 in 7 applicants (13%). That puts it in the "Highly selective" tier, more selective than 97% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.

Fall 2014: 22%Over time

Out of every 100 applicants…

Admitted & enrolled6 of 100 · 520 students
Admitted, went elsewhere7 of 100 · 565
Not admitted87 of 100 · 7,029

The funnel

Applied
8,114
Admitted
1,085
Enrolled
520

Men and women were admitted at similar rates (13% and 14%).

$50 to apply

Grants credit for AP exams

48%

Yield

48% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.

Yield rate vs. every college48%
48%
← 5%higher than 85% of 1,576100% →
Acceptance rate vs. every college13%
13%
← More selectivemore selective than 97% of 1,547Less selective →

Where you stand

How Davidson reads a record

The high school record and a college-prep program are required; GPA and class rank are considered. Scores are optional. 28% of first-years sent an SAT and 23% an ACT.

What they look at

High school GPA
Considered
High school record
Required
Class rank
Considered
College-prep program
Required
Recommendations
Required
Essay
Required
Legacy status
Not considered
Work experience
Considered
Demonstration of competencies
Not considered
English proficiency test
Required
Other tests
Not considered

Recent change: Started considering class rank in fall 2024; Started considering work experience in fall 2023; Stopped requiring high school GPA (still considered) in fall 2023.

On the admissions map

PublicPrivateDot size = undergrads

↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)

Most selective zone80090010001100120013001400150016000%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%Davidson College
Acceptance rate → less selective

Test scores

What enrolled first-years scored

The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1465 on the SAT, 295 points above the median for colleges that report scores.

Test policy

Optional

Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.

Where would you land?

SAT total1400–1530median 1460
1000110012001300140015001600
Reading & Writing695–750median 720
500600700800
Math705–780median 740
500600700800

Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint

Who submitted scores?

28%

submitted SAT

23%

submitted ACT

Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.

SAT midpoint vs. every college1465
1465
← 900higher than 94% of 9361535 →

Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)