Elon vs. UNCG

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); University of North Carolina at Greensboro is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 18:1.

Elon vs. UNCG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or UNCG? 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 North Carolina at Greensboro than Elon ($11,404 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 28.7% lower than at Elon University ($10,688 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 512.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $39,297 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.6% higher at Elon than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $22,946 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at Elon University (87% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 81.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($17,867 vs. $9,863).

Elon vs. UNCG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 40 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Elon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; UNCG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 21.2% at UNCG.

Elon vs. UNCG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and UNCG? 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 North Carolina at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $513 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($22,737 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCG graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($235 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 56%)

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.