Elon vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Elon vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington than Elon ($21,800 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 4.9% lower than at Elon University ($14,250 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $32,318 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.4% higher at Elon than at University of Mary Washington (about $19,398 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Elon University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 70.3% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($17,867 vs. $10,491).

Elon vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 60 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Elon vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

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.