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Elon University

Elon, North Carolina 27244-2010

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedSuburban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

Elon University is a private institution in Elon with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1222, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 6.4K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

83% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $74,545 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $41,048.

Established
1889
Motto
Numen Lumen
Mascot
Phoenix
Type
Private university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

139 upcoming visits · Next: Sat, May 30 · Campus Visit

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67%Acceptance
1222SAT Avg
6,402Students
11:1Student:Faculty
83%Grad Rate
$74,545Earnings 10yr
$41,048Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate67.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1222

Reading & Writing
580675
Math
563630

ACT Score Range

Composite
2328

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$44,536
Room & Board$14,478
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$59,369
Average Net Price$41,048
Median Debt at Graduation$20,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$27,108
$30–48K$23,103
$48–75K$32,133
$75–110K$37,712
$110K+$48,382

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

76.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$18,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

46

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

11

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

5

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

13

Drug Arrests

10

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (74)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

90%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
6,402
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
9%
Pell Grant Recipients
9%

Race & Ethnicity

White 78%
Black 5%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate83.0%
Freshman Retention90.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$58,082
10 Years$74,545

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#133
vs 2024
Forbes
#159
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#132
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History See also: List of presidents of Elon University Elon College was founded by the Christian Connection, which later became a part of the United Church of Christ.
  • The charter for Elon College was issued by the North Carolina legislature in 1889.
  • Long was the first president and the original student body consisted of 76 students.
  • In 1923, a fire destroyed most of the campus, including school records, classrooms, the library, and the chapel.
  • By the year 2000, about 68 percent of Elon's students came from out-of-state and were only accepted if they met high academic standards.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

95Average

Estimated from NC state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K
53 mi(92 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
97 mi(168 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
236 mi(409 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RDU Raleigh-Durham43 mi
CLT Charlotte102 mi
RIC Richmond155 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA625 mi · ~18h 3m drive
New York, NY436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Hartford, CT536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Providence, RI587 mi · ~16h 57m drive
Albany, NY546 mi · ~15h 46m drive
Syracuse, NY512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
Rochester, NY498 mi · ~14h 23m drive
Buffalo, NY470 mi · ~13h 35m drive
Philadelphia, PA356 mi · ~10h 17m drive
Pittsburgh, PA301 mi · ~8h 42m drive
Harrisburg, PA321 mi · ~9h 16m drive
Newark, NJ431 mi · ~12h 27m drive
Washington, DC236 mi · ~6h 49m drive
Baltimore, MD271 mi · ~7h 50m drive
Atlanta, GA321 mi · ~9h 16m drive
Charlotte, NC97 mi · ~2h 48m drive
Raleigh, NC53 mi · ~1h 32m drive
Miami, FL716 mi · ~20h 41m drive
Orlando, FL534 mi · ~15h 26m drive
Tampa, FL589 mi · ~17h 1m drive
Nashville, TN406 mi · ~11h 44m drive
New Orleans, LA745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Richmond, VA151 mi · ~4h 22m drive
Chicago, IL591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
Detroit, MI470 mi · ~13h 35m drive
Minneapolis, MN945 mi · ~27h 18m drive
St. Louis, MO612 mi · ~17h 41m drive
Kansas City, MO850 mi · ~24h 33m drive
Indianapolis, IN442 mi · ~12h 46m drive
Columbus, OH327 mi · ~9h 27m drive
Cleveland, OH391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Milwaukee, WI655 mi · ~18h 55m drive
Dallas, TX1010 mi · ~29h 11m drive
Houston, TX1017 mi · ~29h 23m drive
Austin, TX1127 mi · ~32h 33m drive
San Antonio, TX1193 mi · ~34h 28m drive
Los Angeles, CA2181 mi · ~63h drive
San Francisco, CA2352 mi · ~67h 57m drive
San Diego, CA2146 mi · ~62h drive
Seattle, WA2309 mi · ~66h 42m drive
Portland, OR2319 mi · ~67h drive
Denver, CO1407 mi · ~40h 39m drive
Phoenix, AZ1849 mi · ~53h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1772 mi · ~51h 11m drive
Honolulu, HI4735 mi · ~136h 47m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

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Elon University Application Checklist

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