Elon University: the complete school report for parents

What does Elon University actually weigh in admissions?

Elon University rates 7 of the 18 factors "Very Important": course rigor, GPA, the essay, recommendations, demonstrated interest, volunteer work, work experience. It does not consider 2 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is Elon University's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.

What GPA do admitted students actually have?

59% of enrolled students had a 4.0 GPA or above. The average was 3.88 on a 4.0 scale, reported for 86.42% of the entering class. This is the school’s own distribution, not an estimate from its admit rate.

What is the Elon University waitlist really like?

Elon University offered a place on its waiting list to 4,214 applicants and 835 accepted one. 98 were ultimately admitted. That is 11.7% of those who waited.

Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?

Elon University admitted 57.9% of 475 transfer applicants, against 63.3% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here. The minimum college GPA considered is 2.7.

When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?

Applying Early Decision changes the odds materially: 86.1% of ED applicants were admitted against 63.3% overall, a gap of 23 points. ED is binding, so that advantage costs the ability to compare financial-aid offers.

What does my child need to take in high school?

Elon University requires 16 academic units and recommends 18. A college-preparatory program is required. A GED is accepted.

What will Elon University actually cost us?

Families pay an average of $41,555 a year at Elon University after grants and scholarships, against a published in-state tuition of $50,386. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 73% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 622 merit awards averaging $12,646 to first-years with no demonstrated need.

15% of Elon University graduates borrow, which the federal data puts at about $217 a month in repayment. Elon University’s net price calculator gives your own figure.

Does a degree from Elon University pay off?

Graduates earn a median $74,545 ten years after entering, and $58,082 at six years. 84% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 83% are actively paying down their loans three years in.

$106,904 to $43,297, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at Elon University:

College Scorecard, by field of study.

Will my child actually graduate?

89% of first-years return for a second year.

How big are the classes?

51% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 0% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 82% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

What is life at Elon University like?

6,191 undergraduates, 74% of first-years from out of state. 99% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 70% across all undergraduates. Greek life is small: 20% of men join a fraternity and 39% of women a sorority. 9% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $81,102.

What this means for your student

• Course rigor is rated Very Important here, so the senior-year schedule should hold its AP, IB or honors depth rather than lighten. Elon University recommends 18 academic units.
• 59% of enrolled students are at a 4.0 GPA or above, averaging 3.88. Below that line the rest of the application has to carry real weight.
• Early Decision is worth 23 points of admit rate, but it is binding and removes any ability to compare aid offers.
• The waitlist is live but thin: 98 of 835 who waited were admitted, about 12%.
• Its highest-earning major returns $106,904 five years out against $43,297 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
• See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.

Common questions about Elon University

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