William & Mary (W&M) vs Davidson College

William & Mary and Davidson College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. William & Mary, nestled in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, boasts a larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Davidson College, located in the charming town of Davidson, North Carolina. While both colleges excel in the humanities and social sciences, William & Mary has a stronger focus on business and pre-professional programs, while Davidson College emphasizes the natural sciences and engineering. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student demographics, graduation rates, and popular majors, to determine which college best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	William & Mary	Davidson College
Overview
Location	Williamsburg, Virginia	Davidson, North Carolina
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	36.5%	17.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50	$50
SAT range	1360 - 1520	N/A
ACT range	31 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%
Total number of applicants	17,475	6,434
Total number of admissions given out	6,386	1,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,684	547
Yield rate	26.4%	47.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $40,624 Out of state: $63,850	$73,200
Average net price	$18,399	$25,794
Tuition	In state: $17,434 Out of state: $40,089	$54,460
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,490 Meal plan: $5,246	Room/dormitory: $7,700 Meal plan: $7,525
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	44.0% Average amount $21,700	64.0% Average amount $47,889
Students receiving federal student loan	22.0% Average amount $5,132	10.0% Average amount $5,095
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $27,548	2.0% Average amount $33,219

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,543 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%	1,973 Men 47.2% Women 52.8%
Graduate students	2,974 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	35.2%	76.8%
International students	6.2%	8.2%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	4,755	1,830
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Virginia New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania New York	North Carolina Virginia Texas New Jersey Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Legal Profession Education Social Sciences Multidisciplinary Studies	Psychology Physical Science Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	91.0%	89.6%
Dropout rate	2.1%	10.0%
Transferred out	6.3%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,208 Year 2: $71,202 Year 3: $87,886 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,972 Year 2: $66,087 Year 3: $81,526 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,399 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $80,518 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,897 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $80,071 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,977 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $69,021 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,979 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $57,485 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,630 Year 2: $44,117 Year 3: $51,824 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,566 Year 2: $39,153 Year 3: $50,454 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,517 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $48,118 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,414 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $47,651	Economics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $60,797 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,388 Political Science and Government (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $42,752 Year 2: $45,715 Year 3: $53,747 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $41,099 Year 2: $35,330 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,670 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $34,292 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: N/A Anthropology (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A History (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,075 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between William & Mary and Davidson College?

William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, a historic town with a strong connection to early American history. The campus has a classic, colonial feel. Davidson College is situated in Davidson, North Carolina, a smaller, more suburban town. Davidson's campus is known for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds and a more close-knit, residential atmosphere.
How do the academic programs at William & Mary and Davidson College compare?

Both institutions offer strong liberal arts curricula. William & Mary, as a larger public university, provides a wider range of programs, including more graduate programs and professional schools (law, business, etc.). Davidson College, a smaller private college, emphasizes undergraduate education and offers a highly personalized academic experience with a strong emphasis on close student-faculty interaction. Both schools are known for their rigorous academics and commitment to undergraduate research.
What is the student body like at William & Mary versus Davidson College?

William & Mary has a larger and more diverse student body, reflecting its public university status. Davidson College has a smaller, more homogenous student body, fostering a strong sense of community. Both schools attract high-achieving students, but the social dynamics and campus culture differ due to the size and location.
How does the cost of attendance compare between William & Mary and Davidson College?

As a public university, William & Mary generally has a lower tuition cost for in-state students compared to Davidson College, which is a private institution. However, out-of-state tuition at William & Mary can be comparable to or even exceed Davidson's tuition. Both schools offer financial aid and merit-based scholarships to help offset the cost of attendance. It's important to check the specific financial aid packages offered by each institution based on your individual circumstances.
What are the strengths of William & Mary's extracurricular activities and student life?

William & Mary offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, including a vibrant Greek life, numerous student organizations, and Division I athletics. The campus culture is active, with a strong emphasis on traditions and a lively social scene. The proximity to historic Williamsburg and nearby cities like Richmond and Norfolk provides additional opportunities for entertainment and cultural experiences.
What are the strengths of Davidson College's extracurricular activities and student life?

Davidson College fosters a strong sense of community through its residential campus and emphasis on student involvement. Extracurricular activities are plentiful, with a focus on student-led organizations, community service, and Division I athletics (particularly basketball). The Honor Code plays a significant role in shaping the campus culture, promoting trust and academic integrity. The town of Davidson provides a safe and supportive environment for students.
How do the career services and alumni networks differ between William & Mary and Davidson College?

Both institutions have robust career services departments. William & Mary's larger alumni network provides extensive connections across various industries and geographic locations. Davidson College's alumni network, while smaller, is known for its strong loyalty and willingness to support students and graduates. Both schools offer career counseling, internship opportunities, and networking events to help students prepare for their future careers.
Which college is better for someone interested in pre-professional programs like pre-med or pre-law?

Both William & Mary and Davidson College are excellent choices for students interested in pre-professional programs. William & Mary, with its larger size and broader program offerings, may provide more specialized pre-professional advising and resources. Davidson College's strong academic reputation and emphasis on close faculty interaction can be particularly beneficial for students seeking personalized guidance and research opportunities. The best choice depends on the individual student's preferences and learning style.
What are the key differences in the admissions process for William & Mary and Davidson College?

Both colleges are highly selective. William & Mary, as a public institution, may have slightly different admissions criteria for in-state versus out-of-state applicants. Davidson College considers a holistic review process, evaluating academic performance, extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation. Both schools emphasize academic excellence, leadership potential, and a demonstrated interest in the college's values and community.
How would you summarize the main differences between William & Mary and Davidson College?

William & Mary offers a broader range of programs, a larger and more diverse student body, and a location in a historic town. Davidson College provides a more intimate academic environment, a strong sense of community, and a focus on undergraduate education in a close-knit town. Both are excellent liberal arts colleges with rigorous academics and a commitment to student success, but they offer distinct campus cultures and experiences.

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