I’ve searched CC and surfed for hours looking for an actual cost for any of the Davidson Eating Houses. D22 is looking hard at Davidson, but wants to know all of the costs. I understand they might change yearly, but we need a ballpark.
Any help appreciated. Thanks!
Gosh, sorry it took me so long to see this. The eating house costs are essentially the same as the dining plan, maybe even a little cheaper, so don’t worry about trying to factor it in. It’s not like sororities that can very expensive.
Thank you for the response. It truly was hard to find an answer.
If DD chooses to shoot for Davidson, this will help in our actual cost of attendance calcs, 'cause the houses are one of her interests. Thanks again.
Quick question, though. Which meal plan level does it equate to?
https://www.davidson.edu/offices-and-services/dining-services/meal-plans
I believe second semester first year – after placement – you only pay for 2 meals a week at eating house along with some social fees. It was about $400?
Sophomore year, my D paid for 8 or 10 meals a week (I forget which) at the eating house and supplemented that that with the 90 meal block plan (which is about 6 meals a week) so that combined to about 14 or 16 meals a week. I went back to the statement and combined they were about $2200 (about $900 for the eating house and $1300 for the dining plan) which is less than even the 14-meal a week regular dining plan.
She chose this b/c she only ate breakfast in the dining hall sometimes on the weekend – and even then it was brunch so more like lunch. She bought small amount of groceries to eat breakfast in her room.
I would budget around $900 to a semester for about 10 meals a week and then add on whatever additional dining plan you think suits her needs.
Caveat: I think some houses are slightly more expensive than others, and my D mentioned hers is lowest cost. Still, I think they are all in same ballpark at least – maybe bump to $1000 per semester for 10 meals a week just to be sure?
Remember they will get extras from this too – my D picks up snacks at the eating house (granola bars, yogurt) and then there’s semi-formal and formal which they don’t pay extra for.
Hope this helps!
Based on something I read in the Davidsonian, I believe all the meals this year are provided by Commons (even if served at the houses) and the prices might be different.
Yes, this year is different - fewer meals avail at the eating house and they are provided by Commons. Hopefully next year it will be back to normal, though there is a tug of war around who’s going to prepare the meals moving forward - eating house chefs or Commons. I think most students want the former!