Elon University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Elon University is a private research university in Elon, North Carolina, serving roughly 6,452 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 66.35% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $74,545 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $46,958
- 2024 Average Net Price: $41,555 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 66.35% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 6,452 97.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 84.04%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 9.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 8.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 82.4%
- Average SAT Score: 1208
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,684
- Applicants (IPEDS): 18,791
- Room & Board: $14,985 annual estimate
Elon University: what the data shows
Common questions about Elon University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Elon University?
Elon University is located in Elon, NC (ZIP 27244-2010).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is Elon University public or private?
Elon University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Elon University cost?
Published tuition: $46,958.
Average net price after aid: $41,555.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $26,523 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $23,514 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $24,064 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $34,472 |
| $110,001+ | $49,743 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $187,832.
How hard is it to get into Elon University?
Admission rate: 66.35%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1208.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Elon University?
Total enrollment: 6,452 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 6,684 students.
Graduate enrollment: 787 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Elon University?
150%-time completion rate: 84.04%.
First-year retention: 89.8%.
What do graduates of Elon University earn?
Median earnings: $58,082 six years after entry; $74,545 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,500.
9.93% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Elon University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Finance, General (149 completions)
- Law (140 completions)
- Communication Management and Strategic Communications (136 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (124 completions)
- Psychology, General (100 completions)
- Management Science (83 completions)
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia (81 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (70 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (62 completions)
- Accounting (56 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Elon University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 66.35%; completion rate 84.04%; median earnings $74,545 at 10 years; net price $41,555. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$46,958
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Elon University was $46,958.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$41,555
2024 Value
In 2024 Elon University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $41,555.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$166,220 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$41,555 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$187,832 4-Year Tuition
$14,985 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$900 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$62,843 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$251,372 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Elon University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
9.93% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
24.47% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Elon University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Elon University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $30,149 | $30,149 | $31,898 |
| 2014 | $31,247 | $31,247 | $34,102 |
| 2015 | $32,172 | $32,172 | $35,454 |
| 2016 | $33,104 | $33,104 | $35,619 |
| 2017 | $34,273 | $34,273 | $34,459 |
| 2018 | $35,319 | $35,319 | $35,160 |
| 2019 | $36,571 | $36,571 | $37,230 |
| 2020 | $37,921 | $37,921 | $38,122 |
| 2021 | $38,725 | $38,725 | $39,437 |
| 2022 | $42,241 | $42,241 | $38,001 |
| 2023 | $44,536 | $44,536 | $41,048 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
66.35% Acceptance Rate
18,791 Total Applicants
12,649 Students Admitted
1,677 First-Time Students Enrolled
13.26% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1208
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Elon University reported total enrollment of about 6,452 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.6%), Hispanic or Latino (7.2%), and Black or African American (5.2%). About 9.93% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 9.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Elon University in 2024 is 6,452 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 6,684 students. Graduate enrollment is about 787 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
89.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 75.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
79.86% 100% Completion Time
84.04% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 79.86% of students graduating from Elon University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Finance, General: 80% male / 20% female
- Law: 41% male / 59% female
- Communication Management and Strategic Communications: 18% male / 82% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Elon University.
Return on Investment
$20,500 Median Student Debt
$74,545 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
27.50% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
348.47% Return on Investment
2.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Elon University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 72 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Finance, General: 149 completions
2. Law: 140 completions
3. Communication Management and Strategic Communications: 136 completions
4. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 124 completions
5. Psychology, General: 100 completions
6. Management Science: 83 completions
7. Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia: 81 completions
8. Political Science and Government, General: 70 completions
9. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 62 completions
Most popular programs at Elon University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Elon University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Elon University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 82.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,563
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $19,988
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Elon University is a private non-profit institution located in Elon, NC, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Finance, General, Law, Communication Management and Strategic Communications. Enrollment is approximately 6,452 students. Student body composition includes White (75.6%), Hispanic or Latino (7.2%), Black or African American (5.2%). The admission rate is 66.35%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1208. The 150%-time completion rate is 84.04%. Approximately 9.93% of students receive Pell Grants. About 9.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Elon, NC 27244-2010
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 84.04% graduation rate, Elon University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 72 distinct degree programs, Elon University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elon University located?
Elon University is located in Elon, NC.
What is Elon University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Elon University is 66.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 18,791 applicants and 12,649 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Elon University cost?
Reported tuition is $46,958 and average net price is $41,555 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,985 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Elon University?
Elon University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 6,684 students, White (75.6%), Hispanic or Latino (7.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Elon University?
About 9.1% of students at Elon University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Elon University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Elon University reports midpoint SAT about 1208.
What do graduates of Elon University earn?
Median earnings are $58,082 six years after entry and $74,545 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Elon University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 84.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Elon University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,500.
Is Elon University public or private?
Elon University is a private nonprofit institution located in Elon, NC.
Is Elon University an HBCU?
No. Elon University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Elon University a tribal college?
No. Elon University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.