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Elon University

#536 in US ranking Elon, NC
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$65,240
Tuition & fees
$48,723
Avg. aid
$17,778
Receiving aid
81%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
66%
SAT range
1130–1280
ACT range
23–28

Outcomes

Graduation rate
84%
Median salary
$51,985
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Elon University?

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.

What are the admission requirements at Elon University?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at Elon University?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Elon University?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Elon University?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Elon University?

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.

Elon University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1130–1280
4001600
ACT range
23–28
136
Acceptance rate
66%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
66%
North Carolina
75%
US
78%

13% of admitted students enrolled (1,607 of 12,012)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Elon University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 18,105
Admission
Total: 12,012
Enrolled
Total: 1,607
Women
Men

How to Apply to Elon University

Regular application deadline

January 10

Application fee

$60

Early Decision

Yes

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Elon University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 345
Out-of-state: 1,236
International: 1

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,607
Transfer: 72

Elon University Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

17%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

23%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Elon University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data 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.

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