Davidson College: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 17% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1470 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 33 |
| Location | NC |
| School type | Private |
Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. With an acceptance rate of around 17%, it is one of the more selective schools in the South. The campus community is tight-knit, and the college takes admissions seriously in building it.
Calculate your chances at Davidson College free →How hard is it to get into Davidson College?
At 17%, Davidson's acceptance rate means roughly five out of every six applicants do not get in. That is a real bar to clear, and it applies even to students with strong grades and activities. The applicant pool is talented, and the school is deliberate about who it admits.
Davidson values character and commitment alongside academic ability. The school has a long tradition of an honor code that shapes campus life, and they look for students who will fit that culture, not just ones who check academic boxes.
Test scores that make you competitive
The 75th-percentile SAT score for admitted students is around 1470, and the ACT equivalent is 33. Students with scores at or above those marks are in a competitive range for Davidson. The college has offered test-optional options, so if your test scores do not reflect your ability, focus on the parts of your application that do.
What Davidson College looks for
Davidson expects you to challenge yourself academically. A rigorous high school course load, especially in the subjects that interest you most, goes a long way. Good grades matter, but so does the difficulty of the courses behind them.
Outside of school, Davidson is drawn to students with real commitment. Leadership, service, and sustained effort in activities you care about all factor in. The essays are also a meaningful part of the process. Admissions officers want to understand who you are beyond your transcript.
Estimate your chances at Davidson College
If you want to know where your application might stand at Davidson, CollegeCalcAI has a free calculator at collegecalcai.com. You enter your GPA, test scores, and activities, and it gives you an honest, instant estimate of your chances. No cost, no commitment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Davidson College's acceptance rate?
Davidson College accepts approximately 17% of applicants.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for Davidson College?
The 75th-percentile SAT for admitted students is around 1470, and the ACT equivalent is 33. Scores in that range are competitive, though Davidson has test-optional options.
Is Davidson College hard to get into?
Yes. A 17% acceptance rate means the majority of applicants are not admitted. Strong academics and a thoughtful application are both required.
See your real odds at Davidson College
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.