Davidson College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Davidson College charges a net price of $17,379/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $69,516. Graduates earn a median $81,400 ten years after entry, $33,040/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.1 years — a 20-year net return of $591,284, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Davidson College's 2.1-year payback ranks #86 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 93% of them, and #2 of 115 in North Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,379/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $69,516 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $81,400 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $33,040/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,688 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $591,284 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Davidson College's own numbers. Net price $17,379 × 4 years = $69,516 total. Median earnings $81,400 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $33,040 a year of premium. $69,516 ÷ $33,040 = 2.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $591,284. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Davidson College students graduate with?
A median $18,688 in federal loans among completers, or 23% of the $81,400 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Davidson College students graduate?
91% finish their degree. Spread the $69,516 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $76,391 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Davidson College expensive compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Its $17,379 net price runs $6,533 above the $10,846 median across the 115 North Carolina colleges we profile, or $26,132 more across the full degree.