North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Davidson College: which has better ROI?
Davidson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,516 in 2.1 years versus 3.4 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh, on median earnings of $81,400 vs $68,758 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Davidson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,303 | $17,379 |
| Total net cost | $69,212 | $69,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,758 | $81,400 |
| Median debt | $20,121 | $18,688 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $338,748 | $591,284 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Carolina State University at Raleigh or Davidson College?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh, at $17,303 a year after aid versus $17,379 — a gap of $76 a year, or $304 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do North Carolina State University at Raleigh or Davidson College graduates earn more?
Davidson College graduates report a median $81,400 ten years after entry, $12,642 more than the $68,758 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, North Carolina State University at Raleigh or Davidson College?
Davidson College: its completers carry a median $18,688 in federal loans versus $20,121 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh, a difference of $1,433. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
91% of students finish at Davidson College, against 85% at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.