Davidson College & Washington and Lee University -- Research Notes
davidson_wl.md
Davidson College & Washington and Lee University -- Research Notes
Davidson College
Overview
- Location: Davidson, NC (suburb of Charlotte)
- Type: Private liberal arts college, NCAA Division I (Atlantic 10 Conference)
- Enrollment: ~1,869 undergraduates (fall 2024)
- Known for: Strict honor code, strong academics, Division I athletics (Steph Curry's alma mater), permanently test-optional since 2022
Admissions (Class of 2029)
- Total applicants: 8,926
- Overall acceptance rate: 12.6%
- Early Decision acceptance rate: 29.9% (combined ED I + ED II, Class of 2028 data; Class of 2029 not published)
- ED enrolls: 337 (including QuestBridge, Posse, recruited athletes)
- Early round type: ED I (Nov 15) + ED II (Jan)
- Yield rate: 47.1%
- SAT middle 50%: 1400-1530
- ACT middle 50%: 31-34
- Average unweighted GPA: 3.86
- Top 10% of HS class: 77%
- Top 25% of HS class: 90%
- Testing policy: Test-optional (permanent since April 2022; superscores both SAT and ACT)
Demographics (Fall 2023 IPEDS)
| Group | Pct |
|---|---|
| White | 65.4% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 8.8% |
| International | 8.2% |
| Black/African American | 6.3% |
| Asian | 5.6% |
| Multiracial | 4.5% |
| Women | 53% |
Financial Aid & Net Price
| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,547 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,011 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,719 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,671 |
| Over $110,000 | $41,495 |
Davidson meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with no loans (replaced with grants). Average overall net price: $26,510.
Athletics
- NCAA Division I, 19 varsity sports
- ~24% of students participate in varsity athletics
- ~448 varsity athletes
- 80%+ of students active in intramural, club, or varsity sports
High School Background
- 55.8% from public schools
- 33.2% from independent schools
- 11% from non-traditional or international schools
- Students from 40 states/territories and 35 countries
Washington and Lee University
Overview
- Location: Lexington, VA
- Type: Private university with undergraduate liberal arts college and law school
- Enrollment: ~1,886 undergraduates (fall 2024)
- Known for: Honor system since 1842, historically Southern character, W&L Promise (tuition-free for families under $150K), strong Greek life
Admissions (Class of 2029)
- Total applicants: 8,969
- Admitted: 1,216
- Enrolled: 499
- Overall acceptance rate: 13.5%
- Early Decision acceptance rate: 34% (844 ED applicants, 286 accepted)
- Early round type: ED (binding)
- Yield rate: 41%
- SAT middle 50%: 1450-1510 (median 1480)
- ACT middle 50%: 33-34 (median 34)
- Average unweighted GPA: ~3.85 (estimated; W&L does not officially release GPA data)
- Top 10% of HS class: ~76% (estimated from "more than three-quarters")
- Testing policy: Test-optional (52% of Class of 2029 enrollees submitted scores)
- Johnson Scholars: 10% of class
Demographics (Fall 2023 IPEDS)
| Group | Pct |
|---|---|
| White | 67.8% |
| International | 9.0% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 7.0% |
| Black/African American | 5.0% |
| Asian | 4.8% |
| Multiracial | 4.0% |
| Women | 54% |
Students of color: 22% (per W&L class profile)
Financial Aid & Net Price
| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $76 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $887 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $6,983 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $9,222 |
| Over $110,000 | $42,745 |
W&L Promise: Full tuition grant for families under $150K; full cost of attendance for families under $75K. No-loan, need-based financial aid. 63% of entering class received W&L grant assistance; average need-based grant: $66,084. Pell Grant recipients: 15%.
Athletics
- NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)
- 24 varsity sports (12 men's, 12 women's)
- 727 athletes (419 men, 308 women)
- ~26% of undergrads are recruited athletes (per Class of 2029 profile)
- ~38.5% participate in at least one NCAA sport
Academic Background of Enrolled Students
- 94% completed AP, AICE, or IB coursework
- 85% completed calculus or IB Math
- 84% studied 4+ years of lab science
- 65% studied 4+ years of a world language
- First-generation students: 11%
- Children of alumni: 11%
- Rural students: 15%
- QuestBridge finalists: 8%
Sources
- Davidson College Class of 2029 Profile: https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/incoming-class-statistics
- Davidson Testing Policy: https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/admission-process-help/testing-policy
- W&L Class of 2029 Profile: https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/apply/new-class-profile/
- W&L Test-Optional Policy: https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/apply/test-optional-policy
- W&L Promise: https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/the-w-l-promise
- IPEDS Data: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
- College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
- IvyCoach Davidson ED Rates: https://www.ivycoach.com/the-ivy-coach-blog/early-decision-early-action/davidson-college-early-decision-admission-statistics/