fast facts
what sets davidson apart
davidson is ranked among america's strongest and most selective liberal arts colleges.
we are governed by a vital honor code that sets the tone for our academic and residential community. we are the alma mater to 23 rhodes scholars, and home to 21 sports at a ncaa division i level. our students are well-rounded and invested in their community both in and outside of the classroom. we are proud to be the first liberal arts college to eliminate loans in financial aid packages through the davidson trust.
the college
history: founded in 1837 by presbyterians
location: davidson, north carolina, 19 miles north of charlotte
campus: 665-acre main campus; 110-acre lake campus
endowment: $905.9 million as of june 30, 2020
motto: alenda lux ubi orta libertas. translates to "let learning be cherished where liberty has arisen."
student body
number of students: 1,983 enrolled, 48% male 52% female
domestic students of color: 27%
international students: 7%
student distribution: 51 states/territories and washington d.c.; 43 countries
living on campus: 95%
first-year students returning for sophomore year: 93%
courses of study
majors offered: 29 majors plus create your own through the center for interdisciplinary studies.
minors: 40 minors, including 14 interdisciplinary minors
preprofessional programs: 5 preprofessional programs including prelaw and premedicine.
in the classroom
student to faculty ratio: 9:1
average class size: 15 (over 71 percent of classes with fewer than 20 students)
faculty: 207 full time; 98% with highest degree, 83% tenured or on tenure track
courses offered each year: more than 850
internships and research: pursued by 74% of graduating students
experiences abroad
education abroad: 10 davidson sponsored programs worldwide, plus 79 approved partner locations
students with abroad experience by graduation: 78%
grants for international experiences: grants provided by dean rusk international studies
athletics
mascot: lux the wildcat
conferences: atlantic 10, pioneer football league (football), southern conference (wrestling)
affiliation: ncaa division i
number of teams: 21 varsity sports teams