💰 Cost of Attendance at Davidson College 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$68,450 |
$68,450 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$17,900 |
$17,900 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$86,350 |
$86,350 |
Average Federal Net Price: $18,127 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
No state reciprocity (private college). Instead, Davidson’s The Davidson Trust meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans.
Required forms for need-based aid: FAFSA and the CSS Profile (for institutional aid). Submit by the financial aid deadlines that match your admission plan.
Cost & Aid FAQ
Who qualifies for the no-loan promise?
All admitted students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
How much do families really pay?
On average, families paid about $18,127 after grants/scholarships. Your number depends on income, assets, and special circumstances.
Do I need to apply for aid separately?
Yes. File the FAFSA and CSS Profile on time to receive full consideration under The Davidson Trust.
Sources:
University COA page — https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/cost-attendance
Housing Rates — https://www.davidson.edu/offices-and-services/residence-life/housing-rates
Meal Plans — https://www.davidson.edu/offices-and-services/dining-services/meal-plans
Tuition per semester — https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/types-financial-aid/study-abroad-and-away
College Scorecard (Average Annual Cost) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?198385-Davidson-College=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Davidson College does not offer any automatic merit scholarships based on GPA or standardized test scores. All merit scholarships at Davidson require an additional application or nomination, are highly selective, and are awarded through a competitive process. For most families, need-based aid through The Davidson Trust is the main form of support.
This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.
Note: Davidson participates in the QuestBridge National College Match as a partner school. This is a separate, highly competitive process for high-achieving students with financial need.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Does Davidson award scholarships automatically based on GPA or test scores?
No. All merit scholarships are competitive and limited. Most admitted students receive only need-based aid through The Davidson Trust.
Do I need to submit test scores to be considered?
Davidson is test-optional. Submitting strong SAT/ACT scores can strengthen a competitive scholarship application, but scores are not required for admission or merit consideration.
Does Davidson superscore the SAT/ACT?
Yes. Davidson superscores both the SAT and ACT, taking your highest section scores across test dates.
Can merit scholarships be combined with need-based aid?
Yes, but Davidson may adjust your need-based package to account for outside or institutional awards so that total aid does not exceed the cost of attendance.
Sources:
www.davidson.edu/admission-aid/scholarships/nomination-scholarships
www.davidson.edu/admission-aid/scholarships/john-m-belk-scholarship
www.davidson.edu/admission-aid/scholarships/james-b-duke-scholarship
catalog.davidson.edu/content.php?catoid=19&navoid=506
questbridge.org/partner-colleges/davidson-college
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (highly competitive, limited awards)
Davidson’s flagship scholarships are competitive merit awards selected by committees through nomination, application, or review of the admission file—there is no automatic GPA/test grid. These are the college’s marquee, university-level awards (think “competitive scholarships” at other schools) and they recognize exceptional leadership, character, and academic promise.
Full RideApp Requiredgeographicneed_based
Charles Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 15 nomination deadline; admission application and supporting materials due by the applicant's chosen Davidson application plan deadline. · 📢 Results: Spring of senior year (Charles Scholar named)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance including tuition, fees, food, housing, books, travel, and personal expenses
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Strictly for high-achieving students from Chicago public high schools with demonstrated financial need.
👥 ~One scholar in each first-year class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Coordinates with need-based aid so that total aid does not exceed the comprehensive cost of attendance. This is a full-ride scholarship — any institutional grant aid is folded in, not stacked on top.
📄
How to Apply
Be nominated by a Chicago public or charter school counselor or approved program and submit the Davidson admission application and required scholarship materials by the stated deadlines.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing academic achievement, leadership, personal accomplishment, and demonstrated financial need.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
One of Davidson's most distinctive named scholarships, the Charles covers every dollar of the full cost of attendance — tuition, fees, food, housing, books, travel, and personal expenses — for four full years. Only one student per entering class receives this award, making it extraordinarily rare. Nominations are limited to a small number of candidates per school, so earning the nomination itself is already a significant honor.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-achieving graduates of Chicago public or charter high schools who bring exceptional academics, demonstrated leadership, and clear financial need — typically the standout candidate their school nominates once every few years.
Full TuitionApp Required
James B. Duke Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Scholarship materials due by the Davidson application plan deadline (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision). · 📢 Results: Spring of senior year after finalist review
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition and mandatory fees plus a $5,000 experiential learning stipend
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Extremely selective Davidson scholarship that pays full tuition+fees for four years and adds a $5,000 enrichment stipend; room and board are not covered.
👥 ~Five students per entering class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can be combined with need-based aid, but total aid is adjusted so it does not exceed cost of attendance. The $5,000 experiential stipend is separate from tuition coverage and used specifically for approved learning experiences.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a Davidson admission application, then complete the James B. Duke Scholarship application and required supplement in the scholarship portal by the deadline associated with your chosen application plan.
Selection criteria: Holistic review focusing on academic excellence, concern for others, diverse talents and experience, resilience, work ethic, and potential for impact.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Each year Davidson selects five James B. Duke Scholars from the first-year class. The award covers full tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters, plus a $5,000 experiential-learning stipend the scholar uses for applied, hands-on experiences — think research, internships, or study abroad. Room and board are not included, but this is still one of Davidson's most generous merit awards. Selection is based on a holistic review that includes a required scholarship supplement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Academically exceptional students — think straight-A transcripts — who also show genuine intellectual curiosity beyond grades, meaningful leadership, community impact, and a clear sense of how they'll contribute to Davidson's campus culture. Five are chosen per class.
Full RideApp Required
John M. Belk Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1 nomination deadline; Belk nominees must submit the Davidson admission application and supporting documents by November 15. · 📢 Results: Belk semifinalists notified in mid-February, finalists in early March, and scholarship outcomes announced by April 1.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
comprehensive cost (tuition, fees, food, and housing) plus special opportunity stipends
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Up to eight scholars in each first-year class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
May be combined with need-based aid, but total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance. The $10,000 in opportunity stipends is distributed across the four years and is separate from the comprehensive cost coverage.
📄
How to Apply
Be nominated by a school counselor, head of school, or community-based organization, or be identified by the Davidson admission committee; nominees then submit required Belk Scholarship materials and the Davidson admission application by the stated deadlines.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing academic excellence, leadership, service, and character.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Davidson's flagship merit award. The Belk covers the full comprehensive cost — tuition, fees, housing, and food — for all four years, plus $10,000 in special opportunity stipends to support intellectual exploration, leadership development, and personal growth. Only eight scholars are named in each first-year class. The multi-stage selection process includes nominations, a semifinalist round, and a finalist event with interviews. This is the crown jewel of Davidson merit funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Roughly the top 1–2% of applicants — students with extraordinary leadership, meaningful service, exceptional character, and the kind of academic record that speaks for itself. Only eight are selected per class, and the nomination itself is competitive.
Full TuitionApp Requiredpipeline
Lowell L. Bryan Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nominations and selection align with Davidson admission deadlines; typically early in the application cycle.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition and fees for scholar-athletes in eligible non-revenue sports
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Full‑tuition‑and‑fees scholarship for two top scholar‑athletes each year (one woman, one man) who will compete in eligible NCAA sports at Davidson.
👥 ~Two Bryan Scholars (one male and one female) in each incoming class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Award may coordinate with need-based aid and other athletic-related funding, subject to Davidson College and NCAA policies. Room and board are not included in this award.
📄
How to Apply
Be nominated as an exceptional scholar-athlete in an eligible non-revenue sport by a coach, counselor, or school leader; selection is coordinated between Davidson Athletics and Admission and aligned with standard Davidson application timelines.
Selection criteria: Holistic evaluation of academic performance, athletic achievement, leadership, and character.
🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
The Bryan Scholarship covers full tuition and fees for eight semesters for two exceptional scholar-athletes per entering class — one woman and one man — competing in eligible NCAA non-revenue sports. This is a rare opportunity at a highly academic Division I program where athletic and academic excellence are expected in equal measure. Selection is coordinated between Davidson Athletics and the Office of Admission.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top scholar-athletes in non-revenue sports who can genuinely compete at the Division I level and bring an A or A- academic profile. Two are selected each year — one man, one woman.
Full RideAutomatic
William Holt Terry Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Follow Davidson first-year application deadlines; finalist interviews take place in the spring. · 📢 Results: Spring of senior year (after finalist interviews)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance plus special opportunity stipend
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Two students in each first-year class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
May coordinate with need-based aid so that total aid does not exceed cost of attendance. No separate stacking mechanism — this is a holistic-review award, not a formula-based one.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Terry Scholarship is one of Davidson's most quietly prestigious awards — no separate application required, just a standout admission file. It typically covers the full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, and books) plus a one-time special opportunity stipend of approximately $5,000. Two students are selected per entering class, identified through holistic review and invited to a finalist interview. Because there's no separate application, many strong candidates don't even realize they were in consideration until they're named.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A or A- students with sustained, multi-year leadership in student government, service, or athletics who are recognized as exceptional contributors — not just participants — in their communities. Strong recommendations are essential. Only two are named per class.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
* Estimated academic bands are based on past recipient profiles and published selectivity; Davidson is test-optional and awards are holistic.
Davidson is a partner school with the QuestBridge National College Match (separate, highly selective process for high-achieving students with financial need).
Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships FAQ
Are these awards automatic?
No. They are competitive scholarships with limited slots. Some require school/CBO nomination or a separate application; others are selected from the admission file.
Can I be considered if I apply test-optional?
Yes. Davidson is test-optional. Strong coursework, leadership, essays, and recommendations matter most. Submitting high scores can help but is not required.
Do these stack with need-based aid?
Often yes, but your need-based package may be adjusted so total aid does not exceed the cost of attendance. Read each award’s stacking language carefully.
Key timelines?
Belk nominations typically due Nov 1 (candidate materials Nov 15); Charles nominations generally due mid-December; Bryan nominations coordinated early in the cycle (often fall). Duke and other application awards follow the scholarship portal deadlines after you submit your admission application.
Sources:
www.davidson.edu/admission-aid/scholarships/nomination-scholarships
www.davidson.edu/admission-aid/scholarships/john-m-belk-scholarship
www.davidson.edu/admission-aid/scholarships/james-b-duke-scholarship
catalog.davidson.edu/content.php?catoid=19&navoid=506
questbridge.org/partner-colleges/davidson-college
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
Beyond flagship scholarships, Davidson offers several “hidden gem” programs that can meaningfully reduce costs or fund unique experiences. These are often tied to service, research, ROTC, or international study and can stack with need-based aid.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Avinger Impact Fund (Hurt Hub Entrepreneurship)
📅 Deadline: Typically mid-October; recent cycle deadline Oct 16
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Several projects funded per competition cycle, subject to annual budget. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provides project-based funding for ventures and does not affect tuition billing; can be held alongside other scholarships and grants.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a venture proposal to the Hurt Hub Avinger Impact Fund competition during the fall cycle, including budget, impact plan, and evidence of traction.
Selection criteria: Judged competition focusing on feasibility, innovation, demonstrated traction, and potential for measurable impact.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Competitive fund offering up to $8,000 per student venture to support pilots, scaling, or impact-focused experiments.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who have early-stage ventures with measurable traction, clear social or economic impact, and a compelling execution plan.
App Required
Bonner Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: June 15
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Approximately 20 incoming first-year students per cohort. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to complement need-based aid; Bonner grant may replace a portion of institutional need-based grant but program stipends generally stack with other awards.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Bonner Scholars application through the Center for Civic Engagement after admission; selection is based on service record and financial need.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing depth of service involvement, leadership, reflection, and financial need.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Davidson lists school-year support of $1,500 per semester, summer support of $3,000 living plus $1,500 earnings for two summers, and a $500 senior stipend, for a typical total of about $21,500 over four years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Service-driven students with sustained, meaningful community engagement and documented financial need.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Davidson Research Initiative (DRI)
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 for summer research fellowships
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Varies by funding; multiple fellowships awarded across disciplines each summer. winners/yr🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stipend is paid for summer research and can supplement existing financial aid; does not directly reduce tuition charges.
📄
How to Apply
Work with a faculty mentor to design a research proposal, then submit a DRI Summer Research Fellowship application with recommendations by the February deadline.
Selection criteria: Faculty committee evaluates project significance, feasibility, student preparation, and quality of mentorship plan.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Standard DRI summer fellowships provide approximately $600 per week for a full-time summer research period, typically totaling around $6,000 plus limited travel or supply funds.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Rising sophomores and juniors who present strong faculty-mentored research proposals and demonstrate readiness for independent scholarly work.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Dean Rusk International Studies Grants
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 (summer projects), Oct 1 (winter break projects) · 📢 Results: Typically 4–5 weeks after each deadline
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Dozens of grants across winter and summer cycles each year, subject to funding. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Intended to fund travel and project expenses in addition to regular financial aid; may affect need-based aid only if total funding exceeds cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Consult with the Dean Rusk office, then submit a detailed international travel or research grant proposal via the online Submittable portal by the term-specific deadline.
Selection criteria: Committee review by the International Education Committee focusing on academic merit, project feasibility, preparation, and alignment with international learning goals.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Grants are awarded twice per year for winter break and summer projects; typical awards cover major travel, lodging, and related expenses.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with clear, well-designed international study, service, or research projects and strong faculty or staff support.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Davidson is also a partner school with the QuestBridge National College Match, which can provide a full four-year, loan-free scholarship package to high-achieving, low-income students.
Disclaimer: Award amounts and eligibility details reflect current published ranges. Some stipend amounts (e.g., Dean Rusk grants, DRI) vary by project scope and available funding each year.
- Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion support programs (not direct scholarships, but provide mentoring and resources for first-gen and underrepresented students)
- General campus clubs, Greek organizations, and student groups may offer small stipends or awards, but no consistent scholarship amounts are published
Davidson also partners with the QuestBridge National College Match, a national program that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to selective colleges with full financial support.
Hidden Gem FAQ
Are these smaller awards worth it?
Yes. Programs like Bonner Scholars and Dean Rusk Grants can cover thousands in stipends, travel, or service, on top of your financial aid.
Can hidden gem awards stack with The Davidson Trust?
Usually yes. Davidson may adjust your aid package if your total exceeds the official cost of attendance, but most of these awards are designed to complement existing aid.
How competitive are these compared to flagship scholarships?
They’re more accessible. While flagship scholarships are limited to a handful of students, hidden gems like Dean Rusk or DRI fund dozens of projects each year.
Do I need to know about them before I apply?
No. Many hidden gem opportunities open once you’re a student. It’s smart to keep them on your radar so you can apply early once eligible.
Sources:
www.davidson.edu/academics/center-civic-engagement/bonner-scholars
www.davidson.edu/offices/rotc
www.davidson.edu/academics/dean-rusk-international-studies-program/grants
www.davidson.edu/academics/research/davidson-research-initiative
hurthub.davidson.edu/avinger-impact-fund
questbridge.org/partner-colleges/davidson-college
🎖️ Honors College
Davidson doesn’t have a centralized Honors College. Instead, students pursue departmental honors inside their major—small seminars, a faculty-mentored thesis or capstone, and an oral defense. It’s built for undergrads who want depth, mentorship, and a polished research or creative portfolio.
What a Typical Davidson Honors Student Looks Like
- GPA: ~3.2 overall and ~3.5 in-major (department minimums vary)
- Rigor: Upper-level seminars, methods courses, and sustained work with a faculty mentor
- Project: Yearlong thesis or creative work with written/oral defense
- Signals: Strong time management, curiosity, and evidence of independent research or creation
Why Honors Matters at Davidson
- Mentorship: 1:1 guidance from faculty on a capstone or thesis
- Small classes: Discussion-driven seminars inside the major
- Showcase: Written thesis, recital, exhibition, or applied project—excellent for grad school or fellowships
- Funding pathways: Many students pair honors work with research or international grants (e.g., DRI, Dean Rusk)
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
Honors FAQ
Is honors admission automatic?
No. Students typically apply within the major (usually junior year) after meeting GPA and course prerequisites set by that department.
Does doing honors add time to my degree?
Not if you plan ahead. The thesis/recital is integrated into your major’s upper-level work and completed within eight semesters.
Are there extra dollars for honors?
There is no centralized “Honors College” scholarship, but many students secure research or travel funding (e.g., DRI, Dean Rusk) connected to their honors projects.
What are the deadlines?
Deadlines vary by department. Expect applications or proposals late sophomore to junior year; confirm timing with your major’s department page once declared.
Sources:
www.davidson.edu/academics/honors
www.davidson.edu/academics/honors-and-scholars-programs
www.davidson.edu/academics/academic-departments-programs
www.davidson.edu/academics/research/davidson-research-initiative
www.davidson.edu/academics/dean-rusk-international-studies-program/grants
⭐ College Specialty
Davidson may be small, but its reputation is mighty. Known nationally for rigorous academics, close student–faculty mentoring, and a commitment to leadership and service, Davidson consistently lands among the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Parents often hear about it because of its flagship Belk and Terry scholarships, but the real draw is how well Davidson prepares students for graduate school, public service, and competitive fellowships.
Signature Strength: Political Science & Public Service — Davidson is widely recognized for producing leaders in government, law, and public policy, with alumni holding prominent roles from Congress to the judiciary. The program is consistently noted in national liberal arts rankings.
- Pre-Med & Sciences: Davidson has one of the highest medical school acceptance rates among liberal arts colleges (often cited around 70–80% annually; check Davidson’s Health Professions Advising office for updates).
- Economics: Frequently ranked as a top major at Davidson, providing pathways into finance, consulting, and graduate economics programs; tied to strong alumni networks.
- Athletics (esp. Basketball): Known nationwide as the alma mater of NBA star Stephen Curry; Division I athletics provide national visibility while maintaining rigorous academics.
- Humanities & Global Studies: The Dean Rusk International Studies program is nationally respected for funding student travel, language study, and research abroad opportunities each year.
Note: Davidson College is a private liberal arts college and is not classified as an R1 research university. Its strengths lie in undergraduate teaching, national fellowships, and global study opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Davidson College combines the intimacy of a liberal arts education with serious financial support, from the loan-free Davidson Trust to nationally competitive flagship scholarships like the Belk and Terry. For families, that means your student can focus on thriving academically and personally without being buried in debt. Whether they’re chasing research funding, community service programs, or study abroad grants, Davidson students have multiple pathways to keep costs manageable and opportunities wide open.
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