Cost of Attendance

Living on campus?  Since first-time students are typically placed in double-occupancy rooms, that's the housing cost reflected in a first-year student's COA. For returning students, who have additional housing options, we include in the COA the weighted average of the cost of all possible on-campus housing choices. Your actual charges will vary based on the type of on-campus housing you select. Beginning with the Class of 2028, all students living on campus are billed for the 21-meal-per-week All Access Plan, including the North Carolina Food Tax; so that's the food cost reflected in the COA for all on-campus students.

Living off campus? Students living off-campus on their own or with other students have the same housing allowance as on-campus students, because the weighted average of on-campus housing costs is generally in line with the cost of off-campus options. An off-campus student's actual charges for housing will vary based on the specific housing selected. The off-campus allowance for food is the same as the on-campus allowance.   

Living with family and commuting? Students living in the local area with family will have a more modest allowance for housing than other off-campus students. This is based on the presumption that they will not pay rent, yet their families may incur some additional utility costs while the students are living at home. The allowance for food is also more modest than that for other off-campus students, as it covers only the cost of lunch on campus 5 days a week, while school is in session, plus an allowance toward the projected increase in a typical family's grocery bill when covering the cost of the student's other meals during the academic year.

This allowance covers the purchase (or rental) of new or used textbooks, notebooks, paper, pens and pencils, periodical subscriptions, and any other materials or equipment required for a student’s coursework. This figure is an estimate, based on student spending in the campus bookstore. Actual costs will vary by program, course load and selected classes. 

You can reduce your costs by comparing prices, buying used books, renting books, or using the college's library and reserve book system.

The cost of getting to and from campus for the school year will vary based on where you live and how frequently you choose to return home during the school year.   

Davidson's transportation allowances for domestic students are based on one round trip per semester. The total transportation estimate for domestic students who live in North Carolina or in a neighboring state is $200.  Domestic students who live outside of those states are estimated to spend $600.  

The travel cost estimate for new international students is $1,000 (to account for the cost of the initial travel to campus) and for returning international students is $100 (to cover local transportation while enrolled at Davidson). 

For all students, saving money in other expense categories can "free up" money to support additional trips home, if desired. 

This category includes other student expenses such as laundry, personal care products, prescriptions, cell phone service, clothing and entertainment. This is the most variable part of a student's budget, and students often have more choice about their spending in this category. 

As with the other expense categories, as well, we recommend students set an allowance, track expenses, and stick to their budgets, to ensure their available funds will last all year.

Each Davidson student must have medical insurance, either through a private insurance company plan or the insurance package offered through the college. 

Learn more about Davidson's Health Insurance Plan