Davidson College is expanding its commitment to college affordability with a simplified financial aid model that will eliminate tuition costs for many low- and middle-income families beginning with students entering in fall 2027.
Under the new policy, incoming U.S. citizens and permanent residents from families earning $85,000 or less annually will receive scholarships covering the full cost of tuition, fees, housing and meals. Students from families with annual incomes between $85,000 and $175,000 will attend the private liberal arts college tuition-free, while those with household incomes above $175,000 will continue to receive financial aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without requiring student loans.
The new structure is based on a family’s adjusted gross income and assumes assets, including investments and real estate, are typical for that income level. Students in the $85,000 to $175,000 income range may also qualify for additional financial assistance beyond tuition based on their calculated family contribution.
The college said the changes are intended to make the cost of attending Davidson easier for prospective students and families to understand as they compare colleges. The streamlined pricing model applies to new students beginning in fall 2027 and will remain in effect throughout their four years, provided their family’s income and assets continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Current students will continue under Davidson’s existing financial aid policies, which the college said already produce aid decisions that closely mirror the new framework.
In announcing the initiative, Davidson President Doug Hicks said the college’s financial aid program reflects a longstanding institutional commitment to ensuring the Davidson experience remains accessible and affordable for qualified students. He said simplifying the pricing structure will make that commitment easier for prospective students to understand.
The announcement builds on Davidson’s long-established financial aid approach. According to the college, it is among fewer than two dozen U.S. colleges and universities that admit domestic applicants without considering their ability to pay, meet 100% of calculated financial need and provide loan-free financial aid packages. Instead of student loans, financial aid recipients receive grant assistance and campus employment opportunities.
Davidson also pointed to the impact of those policies on student outcomes. The college said three-quarters of its alumni graduate without debt, allowing graduates to make career and life decisions without the burden of student loan repayment.
The simplified aid model also supports the college’s broader enrollment goals. Davidson noted that 20.5% of students in the class that recently completed its first year are eligible for Pell Grants, a federal indicator of financial need. College officials said the clearer pricing structure is designed to reinforce that a Davidson education remains within reach despite rising published tuition prices across higher education.
Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Chris Gruber said the changes are intended to reduce confusion surrounding both the financial aid process and the college search. Students will continue to apply for aid through the FAFSA and required institutional financial aid forms, which will be used to determine eligibility under the updated pricing model.
