Head-to-head comparison
Davidson College vs. Haverford College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Davidson or Haverford harder to get into?
Haverford is harder to get into than Davidson. Haverford's 12.4% acceptance rate is lower than Davidson's 13.4%.
Which is cheaper, Davidson or Haverford?
Davidson costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Davidson's average net price is $17,379 vs $25,314 at Haverford.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Davidson graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $81,400 at Davidson and $79,966 at Haverford.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Davidson | Haverford |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.4% | 12.4% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1400–1530 | 1460–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $79,475 | $90,382 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $17,379 | $25,314 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,867 | 1,430 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.1% | 89.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $81,400 | $79,966 |
| Setting | Davidson, North Carolina | Haverford, Pennsylvania |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Haverford is modestly harder to get into. The 1.0-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Davidson is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $7,935 per year, $31,740 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Davidson is in Davidson, North Carolina; Haverford is in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Davidson is 53.0% women, 10.7% international, and 5.3% Asian-American. Haverford is 56.9% women, 10.9% international, and 12.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Davidson | Haverford |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.0% | 56.9% |
| International | 10.7% | 10.9% |
| White | 60.4% | 49.2% |
| Asian | 5.3% | 12.9% |
| Hispanic | 11.1% | 11.5% |
| Black | 6.9% | 4.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Davidson vs. Haverford?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Davidson if
- Your odds are realistic at Davidson (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Davidson costs $7,935 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($81,400 vs $79,966)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its Honor Code
Pick Haverford if
- its student-run Honor Code
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Davidson College
13.4% accept · Davidson, North Carolina
Full profile
Haverford College
12.4% accept · Haverford, Pennsylvania
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.