
Elon University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from any specialized accreditation held by an individual degree program.
Elon identifies specialized accreditation or approval for certain professional programs, including programs in business, communications, education, and health-related fields. Applicants to a regulated profession should verify the accreditation and state approval of their specific program, especially if they expect to seek licensure outside North Carolina.
Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid. It may also matter when another college reviews transfer credit, but it does not require that college to accept every course. Likewise, institutional accreditation alone does not establish that a graduate meets professional licensing requirements.
Elon does not have open admission. First-year applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary-school transcript, and information about their academic record. A high school diploma or accepted equivalency is needed before degree-seeking enrollment. Grades and coursework matter; school rank and recommendations may be considered but are not universally required.
SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted rather than required under the admissions information reported for 2024-25. Among enrolled first-time students, 23% submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores. Because testing policies can change by entry term or applicant category, applicants should confirm the rule for their intended year before deciding whether to submit scores. Applicants whose prior education was not in English should also review Elon's English-proficiency requirements, which can include TOEFL documentation.
Elon offers more than one first-year application round, including early and regular options. Deadlines and the commitments attached to an early-decision option should be checked before applying. Some majors may have additional steps after university admission.
For context, 12,012 of 18,105 first-year applicants were admitted in the reported admissions cycle, an acceptance rate of about 66%. That rate describes a past applicant pool; it is not an individual applicant's probability of admission.
Elon's reported undergraduate application fee is $60. An application fee pays for review of the application; it is separate from any enrollment deposit or later tuition charge.
Applicants who cannot afford the fee should request a waiver through the application's fee-waiver process or ask undergraduate admissions about eligibility before submitting a paid application. The documentation and process can differ by application platform or applicant category. Transfer and graduate applicants should check the instructions for their own application rather than assume the first-year fee or waiver process applies to them.
Army ROTC is available on Elon's campus, while Air Force ROTC participation is available through a cooperating host institution. The arrangements are different: students considering Air Force ROTC should account for travel and scheduling at the host institution as well as their Elon classes.
ROTC combines university study with military training. Participation in a course does not necessarily mean receiving a scholarship, and scholarship acceptance or commissioning can bring service obligations. Students should review branch-specific eligibility, medical and fitness standards, application procedures, and contract terms with the relevant ROTC staff before making a commitment.
Elon accepts transfer applications for fall and spring entry and generally considers coursework from other accredited colleges. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of particular courses toward an Elon degree are separate decisions.
Transfer applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from every college attended, along with any secondary-school records required for their circumstances. Elon reviews the college record and the proposed academic path; applicants should check the current application instructions for deadlines and any major-specific requirements. A previous course may transfer as credit without satisfying a particular Elon major or general-education requirement.
Before enrolling, request an official credit evaluation and compare it with the degree plan for the intended major. Ask the registrar or academic department how many credits must be completed at Elon and whether prerequisites, clinical placements, or sequential courses could extend the time to graduation. The university reports a relatively small transfer-in group - 72 degree-seeking students in the cited enrollment count - so individualized planning is particularly useful.
Elon offers international study through semester-length options and shorter programs, including courses associated with its Winter Term. Opportunities may be run by Elon or arranged through approved partners; the academic approval, housing, and support arrangements can differ.
Students should meet with study-abroad advisers and their major adviser before committing. The important questions are whether courses will count toward the degree, whether a required sequence can be completed on time, and what the full program budget covers. Tuition treatment, financial aid, scholarships, airfare, visas, and personal expenses can vary substantially by program. Internships or other international experiences may have separate application and credit rules.
13% of admitted students enrolled (1,607 of 12,012)
Regular application deadline
January 10Application fee
$60Early Decision
YesEarly Action
Yes, deadline November 1Percent of students submitting ACT scores
17%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
23%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, SpringData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.