Elon vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Meredith College is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Meredith College 10:1.

Elon vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Meredith? 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 Meredith College than Elon ($24,323 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 11.4% lower than at Elon University ($13,280 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Meredith (about $1,328 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Elon than at Meredith College (about $1,328 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 85.3% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($33,116 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 10 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

Elon vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Meredith? 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 Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 65%)

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.