Elon vs. AU

Deciding between Elon University and Anderson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elon University
Anderson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • AU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • AU 4,710
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • AU #662
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • AU Baptist
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • AU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • AU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • AU $34,970
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • AU $34,970
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • AU $12,720
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • AU $24,434
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • AU $25,969
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • AU 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • AU 4,548
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • AU 2,488
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • AU 54.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • AU 32.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • AU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • AU 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • AU 3.72
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • AU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • AU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • AU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • AU 22/29
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • AU 1100/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • AU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • AU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • AU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • AU 48%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • AU $37,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • AU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • AU $26,862
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • AU $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • AU 42%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • AU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • AU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • AU No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • AU 83%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • AU 1%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • AU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • AU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • AU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • AU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • AU 2%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • AU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • AU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • AU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • AU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Elon Yes
  • AU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Elon No
  • AU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Elon Yes
  • AU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Elon No
  • AU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Elon No
  • AU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 4,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Anderson University 13:1.

Elon vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or AU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than Elon ($24,434 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 15.1% lower than at Elon University ($12,720 vs. $14,985).
  • Elon University is 34.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $11,988 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $34,970.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at Elon than at Anderson University (about $11,988 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $34,970.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at Elon University (98% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 45.3% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($25,969 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or AU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between AU and Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 20 points higher than at AU (1190).
  • Incoming Elon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at AU (25).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Anderson University 1100/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Anderson University 22/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Elon (3.65).
  • Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than AU (54.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 32.5% at AU.

Elon vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and AU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Anderson University's (48%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,612 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($240 vs. $277).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.