Suffolk University vs. Elon

Deciding between Suffolk 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.

Suffolk University
Elon University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Suffolk University Boston, MA
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Setting
  • Suffolk University Large City
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Suffolk University 6,356
  • Elon 7,239
  • Type
  • Suffolk University Private 4 Year
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Suffolk University #521
  • Elon #140
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Suffolk University -
  • Elon -
  • Status
  • Suffolk University Non-profit
  • Elon Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Suffolk University
  • Elon
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • Elon $46,958
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • Elon $46,958
  • Room & Board
  • Suffolk University $21,326
  • Elon $14,985
  • Average Net Price
  • Suffolk University $33,832
  • Elon $44,440
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University $31,558
  • Elon $17,867
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University 98%
  • Elon 77%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Suffolk University 10,308
  • Elon 18,105
  • Admitted
  • Suffolk University 8,487
  • Elon 12,012
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Suffolk University 82.3%
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Suffolk University 10.9%
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Suffolk University 1200
  • Elon 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Suffolk University 26
  • Elon 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Suffolk University 3.33
  • Elon 3.65
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Suffolk University B+
  • Elon A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Suffolk University Challenging
  • Elon Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Suffolk University
  • Elon Low
  • ACT Range
  • Suffolk University 24/28
  • Elon 23/28
  • SAT Range
  • Suffolk University 1090/1300
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Suffolk University Test optional
  • Elon Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Suffolk University 15:1
  • Elon 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Suffolk University
    • Business (39%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Suffolk University 54%
  • Elon 82%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Suffolk University $59,100
  • Elon $56,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Suffolk University 70%
  • Elon 86%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Suffolk University $27,000
  • Elon $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Suffolk University $279
  • Elon $240
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Suffolk University 36%
  • Elon 40%
  • % Women
  • Suffolk University 64%
  • Elon 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Suffolk University Very High
  • Elon Low
  • HBCU
  • Suffolk University No
  • Elon No
  • % White
  • Suffolk University 40%
  • Elon 82%
  • % Asian
  • Suffolk University 8%
  • Elon 2%
  • % Black
  • Suffolk University 6%
  • Elon 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Suffolk University 11%
  • Elon 5%
  • % Native American
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • Elon 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • Elon 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Suffolk University 2%
  • Elon 2%
  • % International
  • Suffolk University 23%
  • Elon 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Suffolk University 9%
  • Elon 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Suffolk University 58%
  • Elon 21%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Suffolk University 31%
  • Elon 77%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Suffolk University in Boston, MA with Elon University in Elon, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than Suffolk University based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 6,356 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Suffolk University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University than Elon ($33,832 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 29.7% lower than at Suffolk University ($14,985 vs. $21,326).
  • Suffolk University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $592 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $46,958.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Suffolk University than at Elon University (about $592 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $46,958.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Suffolk University than at Elon University (98% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 76.6% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($31,558 vs. $17,867).

Suffolk University vs. Elon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 10 points higher than at Suffolk University (1200).
  • Incoming Suffolk 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: Suffolk University 1090/1300; Elon University 1130/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 24/28; Elon University 23/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Suffolk University - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Suffolk University (3.33).
  • Suffolk University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Suffolk University vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Suffolk University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Suffolk 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 Suffolk University's (54%).
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,100 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Suffolk University graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Suffolk University graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Suffolk University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 70%)

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.