Elon vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Denison University 9:1.

Elon vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Denison? 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 Denison University than Elon ($43,721 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 8.6% lower than at Denison University ($14,985 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 42.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $20,042 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at Denison than at Elon University (about $20,042 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Elon University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 113.7% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($38,179 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 200 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Denison students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Elon vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.