More selective than 64% of North Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
2% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 1% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Elon University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Elon University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Elon University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Class rank
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Where you live
- State residency
- SAT/ACT scores
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Elon University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.88. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
86% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
86% of early decision applicants were admitted (304 of 353). Admitted students must enroll.
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
4,214 offered a spot, 835 took it, 98 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Elon University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Elon University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 580 | 650 |
| SAT math | 550 | 630 |
| ACT composite | 23 | 28 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1130 | 1280 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Elon University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 66% | 580–650 | 550–630 | 23–28 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 67% | 580–675 | 563–630 | 23–28 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Elon University compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Elon University has the 21st-lowest acceptance rate of 56 North Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Queens University of Charlotte | 62% | 61% | $30,857 |
| 18 | Mid-Atlantic Christian University | 62% | 21% | $18,328 |
| 19 | Elizabeth City State University | 64% | 44% | $6,364 |
| 20 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | 64% | 71% | $20,109 |
| 21 | Elon University | 66% | 84% | $41,555 |
| 22 | Mars Hill University | 68% | 45% | $19,910 |
| 23 | Chowan University | 69% | 30% | $14,086 |
| 24 | Montreat College | 69% | 50% | $27,061 |
| 25 | Greensboro College | 70% | 46% | $17,882 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All North Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at Elon University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Elon University admissions questions
What is the Elon University acceptance rate?
Elon University accepts 66% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 12,649 of 18,791 applicants were admitted.
Does Elon University require the SAT or ACT?
Elon University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 2% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Elon University?
The middle 50% of Elon University enrolled first-year students scored 1130–1280 on the SAT and 23–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Elon University?
13% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,677 of 12,649).
What does Elon University look for in applicants?
Elon University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, essay, recommendations, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. Important: extracurricular activities, talent or ability, alumni relation (legacy). Considered: class rank, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, where you live, state residency. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Elon University have early decision?
Yes. Elon University offers binding early decision; 86% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (304 of 353). It also offers non-binding early action.
How many students get off the Elon University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 4,214 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 835 accepted one and 98 were admitted (12% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Elon University getting harder to get into?
Elon University accepted 66% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 67% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Elon University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Elon University overview