Rowan University vs. Elon

Deciding between Rowan University and Elon 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.

Rowan University
Elon University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Setting
  • Rowan University Large Suburban
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Rowan University 21,026
  • Elon 7,239
  • Type
  • Rowan University Public 4 Year
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rowan University #270
  • Elon #140
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rowan University -
  • Elon -
  • Status
  • Rowan University Non-profit
  • Elon Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rowan University
  • Elon

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rowan University $16,574
  • Elon $46,958
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rowan University $26,932
  • Elon $46,958
  • Room & Board
  • Rowan University $16,928
  • Elon $14,985
  • Average Net Price
  • Rowan University $23,761
  • Elon $44,440
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rowan University $12,419
  • Elon $17,867
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rowan University 93%
  • Elon 77%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rowan University 19,593
  • Elon 18,105
  • Admitted
  • Rowan University 15,216
  • Elon 12,012
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rowan University 77.7%
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Rowan University 23%
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rowan University 1210
  • Elon 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rowan University 26
  • Elon 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rowan University 3.44
  • Elon 3.65
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rowan University B+
  • Elon A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rowan University Challenging
  • Elon Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rowan University
  • Elon Low
  • ACT Range
  • Rowan University 23/29
  • Elon 23/28
  • SAT Range
  • Rowan University 1110/1310
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rowan University Test optional
  • Elon Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Rowan University
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rowan University 17:1
  • Elon 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rowan University
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rowan University 68%
  • Elon 82%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rowan University $53,300
  • Elon $56,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rowan University 67%
  • Elon 86%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rowan University $20,000
  • Elon $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rowan University $206
  • Elon $240

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rowan University 49%
  • Elon 40%
  • % Women
  • Rowan University 51%
  • Elon 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rowan University Medium
  • Elon Low
  • HBCU
  • Rowan University No
  • Elon No
  • % White
  • Rowan University 69%
  • Elon 82%
  • % Asian
  • Rowan University 4%
  • Elon 2%
  • % Black
  • Rowan University 10%
  • Elon 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rowan University 10%
  • Elon 5%
  • % Native American
  • Rowan University 0%
  • Elon 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rowan University 0%
  • Elon 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rowan University 3%
  • Elon 2%
  • % International
  • Rowan University 1%
  • Elon 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rowan University 3%
  • Elon 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rowan University 89%
  • Elon 21%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rowan University 7%
  • Elon 77%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ with Elon University in Elon, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rowan University is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (21,026 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rowan University is located in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
  • Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rowan University 17:1; Elon University 11:1.

Rowan University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rowan University or Elon? 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 Rowan University than Elon ($23,761 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 11.5% lower than at Rowan University ($14,985 vs. $16,928).
  • Elon University is 183.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rowan University (about $30,384 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $16,574.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 74.4% higher at Elon than at Rowan University (about $20,026 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $26,932.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at Elon University (93% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Rowan University students ($17,867 vs. $12,419).

Rowan University vs. Elon Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rowan University (1210) is the same as at Elon (1210).
  • Incoming Rowan University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Elon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 1110/1310; Elon University 1130/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 23/29; Elon University 23/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rowan University - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Rowan University (3.44).
  • Rowan University has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at Rowan University vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Rowan University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rowan University and Elon? 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 Rowan University's (68%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Rowan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rowan University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Rowan University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($206 vs. $240).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rowan University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 67%)

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.