What is the acceptance rate at Elon University?

Elon University's acceptance rate is approximately 66% (Elon, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Elon University?

Admitted students at Elon University typically score 1130–1280 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Elon University cost?

At Elon University, the average net price (after aid) is about $41,555 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Elon University?

Elon University enrolls approximately 6,452 undergraduate students.

Where is Elon University located?

Elon University is located in Elon, NC.

Elon University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Elon University

Elon, NCprivate nonprofitelon.edu

Acceptance

66%

SAT 25–75

1130–1280

Avg net price

$41,555

Earnings (10 yr)

$74,545

Graduation rate

84%

Admit rate has ranged 67%–78% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Elon University is a mid-sized private university in North Carolina that blends rigorous academics with a vibrant, close-knit campus culture. Known for its top-ranked communications program, strong emphasis on experiential learning, and picturesque campus, Elon attracts students who want a dynamic mix of academic challenge and social engagement. With an 83% graduation rate and a reputation for fostering career-ready graduates, it's a school that punches above its weight.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 6,452
In-state tuition: $46,958
Out-of-state tuition: $46,958
Location: Elon, NC
Acceptance Rate: 66%
6-Year Grad Rate: 83%
Notable Rankings: #1 PR Program, Top 8% Grad Rate (Private)
Total Annual Cost: $68,903
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Avg Financial Aid Package: $35,637

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $74,545
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 1.8×
Median debt at graduation: $20,500
Graduation rate: 84%
First-year retention: 90%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 83%
Pell (lower-income) share: 28%
First-generation share: 9%
Endowment / student: $56,647

Financial health

3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard

U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Computer Programming$70,680
Finance and Financial Management Services$62,154
Accounting and Related Services$60,016
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other$54,192
Marketing$50,022
Economics$44,189

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 2
Per 1,000 students: 0.31

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 97
Summer high: 88°F
Winter low: 35°F
Annual rain: 45.9"
Annual snow: 4.3"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 127
Scholarly works: 5,132

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 0.6%
Bottom → top quintile: 31%
From bottom quintile: 2%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Elon University?: Elon University's acceptance rate is approximately 66% (Elon, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Elon University?: Admitted students at Elon University typically score 1130–1280 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Elon University cost?: At Elon University, the average net price (after aid) is about $41,555 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Elon University?: Elon University enrolls approximately 6,452 undergraduate students.
Where is Elon University located?: Elon University is located in Elon, NC.

Admissions

Elon's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 66% acceptance rate (per multiple sources) and early acceptance at 56.1%. The middle 50% of admitted students for the Class of 2029 had SAT scores between 1130–1320, ACT scores averaging 26, and an average GPA of 4.54. Notably, the university received 18,105 applications for a recent cycle, enrolling 1,652 first-years—suggesting a rate around 15-20%. While test scores are considered, Elon emphasizes , with strong extracurricular profiles and essays likely playing a role for borderline applicants.

Early Decision: Offered but not binding
Common App: Accepted
Recommendations: 1 teacher + 1 counselor required

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