Elon vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

Elon vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson College than Elon ($26,084 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 12.9% lower than at Elon University ($13,050 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Warren Wilson (about $5,458 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $41,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Elon than at Warren Wilson College (about $5,458 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $41,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 72.9% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($30,887 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Elon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Warren Wilson (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Warren Wilson (3.6).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

Elon vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $25,400 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Warren Wilson students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 72%)

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.