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Elon University
Most applicants get into Elon University — 66.3% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Elon University occupies suburban Elon, NC — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Economics, where graduates median $112,303 four years out. Faculty pay averages $126,756 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 6,452 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 89.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1143 and 1305 — above the NC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Elon University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Elon University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1143–1305 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Elon University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 580 | 620 | 675 |
| SAT Math | 563 | 590 | 630 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 26 | 28 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Elon University received 18,791 applications and admitted 12,649 (67.3%), with 1,677 enrolling.
How Elon University compares
| Elon University | North Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 66.3% | 75.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $46,958 | $19,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $74,545 | $45,873 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Elon University student earns $74,545 — 63% above the North Carolina median of $45,873 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Elon University lists tuition at $46,958 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Elon University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $46,958 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Elon University enrolls 6,452 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Elon University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
84% of Elon University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 29.2 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $46,958 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Elon University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Economics | $112,303 |
| Computer Programming | $111,448 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $105,707 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $103,426 |
| Marketing | $95,163 |
| International Business | $91,132 |
| Political Science and Government | $89,685 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $88,983 |
| Public Health | $81,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $80,850 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $73,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $71,121 |
| Journalism | $69,964 |
| Psychology, General | $69,856 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $68,927 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $68,262 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $68,178 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $64,011 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $63,041 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $60,832 |
| Biology, General | $53,369 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $53,185 |
Median earnings for these 22 Elon University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $74,545 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 46 additional Elon University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Elon University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1143–1305 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 66.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Elon University's acceptance rate?
67.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 12,649 admitted from 18,791 applicants.
How much does Elon University cost?
At Elon University, published tuition is $46,958 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Elon University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Elon University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $74,545 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Carolina
- Elizabeth City State University — 64.2% admitted
- Fayetteville State University — 82.2% admitted
- Gardner-Webb University — 77.2% admitted
- Greensboro College — 70.1% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.