Elon vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Elon vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or CofC? 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 College of Charleston than Elon ($21,004 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 4.4% lower than at Elon University ($14,332 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 261.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $33,980 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Elon than at College of Charleston (about $8,662 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $38,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Elon University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 98.9% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($17,867 vs. $8,983).

Elon vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or CofC? 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 CofC and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 20 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming CofC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Elon vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and CofC? 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 College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC 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.