Elon vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Elon University and University of Dayton? 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
University of Dayton

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (10,506 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Elon vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton than Elon ($32,794 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 10.8% lower than at University of Dayton ($14,985 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $2,182 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $46,958.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at University of Dayton than at Elon University (about $2,182 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $46,958.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Elon University (95% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 87% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($33,418 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is 80 points higher than at Elon (1210).
  • Incoming University of Dayton students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Elon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Elon (3.65).
  • Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than University of Dayton (65.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Elon vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($240 vs. $268).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dayton students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.