Davidson College SAT & ACT Scores
Davidson is test-optional for students applying for fall 2027, so the SAT and ACT are your choice. Among enrolled first-years who sent scores, the middle 50% SAT range was 1410–1500, with a median of 1460. The ACT middle range was 32–34. Davidson admitted 12.6% of its 8,932 applicants for the fall 2025 entering class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Davidson College's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Davidson College test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Davidson is permanently test-optional: first-year applicants, including international applicants, choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Superscoring. Davidson College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Davidson College's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Davidson has been test-optional since 2020. The policy started as a three-year pilot for students applying for fall 2021 entry, and the college made it permanent in 2022. The decision to submit scores rests entirely with the student, and Davidson says about half of admitted students include testing. Davidson superscores both the SAT and the ACT and accepts self-reported scores. Students who self-report and then enroll must send official scores, and a mismatch can put their place at risk. International applicants are also test-optional, but those whose first language isn't English must show English proficiency with the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
Davidson College SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1410–1500, and the median was 1460.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1410 | 1460 | 1500 |
| Reading & Writing | 710 | 740 | 755 |
| Math | 695 | 720 | 760 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 25.4% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
The middle 50% SAT range for Davidson's fall 2025 entering class was 1410–1500. A quarter of enrolled students who reported the SAT scored 1410 or lower, and a quarter scored 1500 or higher. The median was 1460. By section, the middle ranges were 710–755 in Reading and Writing and 695–760 in Math.
Only 25.4% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores. Because sending scores is optional, this range describes the students who chose to share them, not the whole class. Davidson suggests sending scores if they reflect your ability well, if they are above your high school's average, or if they show a strength that the rest of your record doesn't.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Davidson College ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 32–34 on the ACT, with a median of 33.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 32 | 33 | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 24.3% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Enrolled students who sent the ACT had a middle 50% composite of 32–34, with a median of 33. A 34 puts you in the top quarter of reported scores, and 32 marks the bottom quarter. Davidson's 2025–26 Common Data Set does not list ACT section ranges.
24.3% of enrolled first-years submitted the ACT, compared with 25.4% for the SAT. Davidson superscores the ACT, combining your best section scores across test dates. The college says its middle 50% range is a useful guide when you decide whether to submit, so compare your superscore to 32–34 before you choose.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Davidson College acceptance rate
Very competitive: 12.6% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants8,932
- Admitted1,127
- Acceptance rate12.6%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision I and Early Decision II (both binding); no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Davidson College 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Davidson offers two binding early rounds, Early Decision I and Early Decision II, along with Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
A practical target for Davidson is an SAT of 1500 or higher, or an ACT of 34 or higher. Those scores sit at the top of the middle 50% for enrolled students who reported them. Scores near the median, 1460 on the SAT or 33 on the ACT, are also in line with the class. With an admit rate of 12.6%, strong scores help, but they don't decide the outcome.
Davidson describes its review as holistic, and test scores are only one part of it. If you apply without scores, your transcript, essays, and recommendations carry the academic case. If you are homeschooled or attend a school with a non-traditional curriculum, Davidson strongly recommends sending the SAT or ACT, though it is not required.
How Davidson College compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University in St. Louis | 11.9% | 1530 | 1500–1550 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Harvey Mudd College | 12.3% | 1510 | 1500–1560 | 35–36 | Test-optional |
| Davidson College | 12.6% | 1460 | 1410–1500 | 32–34 | Test-optional |
| Boston University | 12.8% | 1470 | 1420–1510 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Middlebury College | 12.8% | 1500 | 1460–1530 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 13.3% | 1460 | 1370–1530 | 31–35 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is Davidson College test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Davidson is permanently test-optional: first-year applicants, including international applicants, choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Davidson College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Davidson College?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1460 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1410–1500, so a quarter scored 1500 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Davidson College?
A score at or above 1500 puts you in the top quarter of Davidson College's enrolled first-years, and 1410–1500 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Davidson College?
Davidson College's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 32–34, with a median of 33 (fall 2025 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Davidson College's acceptance rate?
Davidson College admitted 12.6% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (1,127 of 8,932), which makes it very competitive.
How many Davidson College students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 25.4% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 24.3% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Davidson College?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.