Head-to-head comparison
Davidson College vs Chamberlain University-North Carolina: which has better ROI?
Option A Davidson, NC
Davidson College
- Net price / year
- $17,379
- Earnings, 10 years
- $81,400
- Payback
- 2.1 yrs
Option B Charlotte, NC
Chamberlain University-North Carolina
- Net price / year
- $38,436
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,405
- Payback
- 3.5 yrs
Davidson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,516 in 2.1 years versus 3.5 years at Chamberlain University-North Carolina, on median earnings of $81,400 vs $92,405 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Davidson College | Chamberlain University-North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,379 | $38,436 |
| Total net cost | $69,516 | $153,744 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $81,400 | $92,405 |
| Median debt | $18,688 | $20,919 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 3.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $591,284 | $727,156 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Davidson College or Chamberlain University-North Carolina?
Davidson College, at $17,379 a year after aid versus $38,436 — a gap of $21,057 a year, or $84,228 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Davidson College or Chamberlain University-North Carolina graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-North Carolina graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $11,005 more than the $81,400 at Davidson College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Davidson College or Chamberlain University-North Carolina?
Davidson College: its completers carry a median $18,688 in federal loans versus $20,919 at Chamberlain University-North Carolina, a difference of $2,231. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.