Elon vs. WVU

Deciding between Elon University and West Virginia 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
West Virginia University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • WVU Morgantown, WV
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • WVU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • WVU 23,643
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • WVU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • WVU #566
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • WVU -
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • WVU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • WVU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • WVU $10,104
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • WVU $28,608
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • WVU $14,582
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • WVU $15,169
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • WVU $12,363
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • WVU 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • WVU 18,729
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • WVU 16,669
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • WVU 89%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • WVU 24.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • WVU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • WVU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • WVU 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • WVU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • WVU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • WVU
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • WVU 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • WVU 1010/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • WVU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • WVU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • WVU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • WVU
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • WVU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • WVU $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • WVU 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • WVU $24,001
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • WVU $248

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • WVU 47%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • WVU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • WVU Low
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • WVU No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • WVU 81%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • WVU 1%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • WVU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • WVU 4%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • WVU 3%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • WVU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • WVU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • WVU 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • WVU 58%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 7,239 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Elon vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Elon ($15,169 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 2.7% lower than at Elon University ($14,582 vs. $14,985).
  • Elon University is 364.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $36,854 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $10,104.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at Elon than at West Virginia University (about $18,350 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $28,608.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Elon University (94% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 44.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($17,867 vs. $12,363).

Elon vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 90 points higher than at WVU (1120).
  • Incoming Elon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at WVU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 1130/1280; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 23/28; West Virginia University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Elon students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at WVU (3.45).
  • WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Elon vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than West Virginia University's (57%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $751 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,001).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($240 vs. $248).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 59%)

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.