Elon vs. VWC

Deciding between Elon University and Virginia Wesleyan University? 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
Virginia Wesleyan University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • VWC Virginia Beach, VA
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • VWC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • VWC 1,853
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • VWC Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • VWC #684
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • VWC United Methodist
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • VWC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • VWC

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • VWC $37,500
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • VWC $37,500
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • VWC $11,930
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • VWC $21,267
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • VWC $29,923
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • VWC 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • VWC 3,808
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • VWC 2,775
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • VWC 72.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • VWC 11.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • VWC 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • VWC 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • VWC 3.39
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • VWC B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • VWC Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • VWC Low
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • VWC 28/29
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • VWC 1140/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • VWC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • VWC

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • VWC 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • VWC
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • VWC 48%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • VWC $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • VWC 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • VWC $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • VWC $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • VWC 47%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • VWC 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • VWC High
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • VWC No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • VWC 54%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • VWC 1%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • VWC 24%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • VWC 8%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • VWC 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • VWC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • VWC 5%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • VWC 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • VWC 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • VWC 72%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • VWC 25%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Elon vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Elon ($21,267 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 20.4% lower than at Elon University ($11,930 vs. $14,985).
  • Elon University is 25.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $9,458 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $37,500.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Elon than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $9,458 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $37,500.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($29,923 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Elon (1210).
  • Incoming VWC 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; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at VWC (3.39).
  • VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Elon vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 57%)

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.