Rider University vs. Elon

Should I go to Rider University or Elon University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rider University or Elon is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Furman Wofford College JMU Rowan University Monmouth University TCNJ CofC Davidson Rutgers Rutgers University-Newark UofSC Clemson
Rider University vs. Elon University comparison
Rider University Elon University College 3 College 4
Rider University Elon University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Rider University Elon
Location Lawrenceville, NJ Elon, NC
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 4,083 7,207
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #309 #134
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rider.edu elon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rider University Elon
Tuition (In State) $37,700 $44,029
Tuition (Out of State) $37,700 $44,029
Room & Board $16,730 $14,478
Avg Net Price $26,618 $41,849
Avg Grant Aid $27,411 $17,523
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 69%

Admission

Rider University Elon
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,069 18,791
Admitted 7,201 12,649
Acceptance Rate 79.4% 67.3%
Enrolled % 11.2% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 23/28
SAT Range 1100/1310 1143/1305
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 10, 2026

Academics

Rider University Elon
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Rider University Elon
Graduation Rate 63% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,000 $56,200
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $266 $240

Diversity

Rider University Elon
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 14% 7%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 82%
% Black 12% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Rider University Elon
% In-State 73% 18%
% Out-of-State 25% 80%

Campus

Rider University Elon
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Elon University is larger than than Rider University based on total student enrollment (7,207 students vs. 4,083 students)

Rider University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or Elon?

  • Elon University is 16.8% more expensive to attend than Rider University for in-state tuition ($44,029.00 vs. $37,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.8% higher at Elon than Rider University ($44,029.00 vs. $37,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rider University than Elon ($26,618 vs. $41,849)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 15.6% lower than costs at Rider University ($14,478 vs. $16,730)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rider University than Elon University (100% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 56.4% larger than aid received Elon University ($27,411 vs. $17,523)

Rider University vs. Elon Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rider University or Elon? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Elon or Rider University .

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 197 points higher than at Rider University (1014)
  • Incoming Elon students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Rider University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Rider University (3.41)
  • Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Elon (67.3%)

Rider University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rider University or Elon? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Elon and Rider University.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than Rider University (82% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Elon University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Rider University graduates after ten years. ($56,200 vs. $53,000)
  • Elon University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Rider University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,750)
  • Elon graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Rider University graduates. ($240 vs. $266)
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rider University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/