Elon vs. Guilford College

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Guilford College is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Guilford College 12:1.

Elon vs. Guilford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Guilford College? 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 Guilford College than Elon ($22,270 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 10.6% lower than at Elon University ($13,400 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Guilford College (about $5,596 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $41,362.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Elon than at Guilford College (about $5,596 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $41,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 87% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($33,419 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. Guilford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Incoming Elon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Guilford College 1120/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Guilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Guilford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 10.1% at Guilford College.

Elon vs. Guilford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Guilford College? 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,385 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($240 vs. $275).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 51%)

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.