Suffolk University vs. Elon

Should I go to Suffolk University or Elon University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Suffolk 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.

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Suffolk University vs. Elon University comparison
Suffolk University Elon University College 3 College 4
Suffolk University Elon University
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Overview

Suffolk University Elon
Location Boston, MA Elon, NC
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 6,697 7,207
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #445 #134
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website suffolk.edu elon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Suffolk University Elon
Tuition (In State) $44,812 $44,029
Tuition (Out of State) $44,812 $44,029
Room & Board $19,562 $14,478
Avg Net Price $33,089 $41,849
Avg Grant Aid $29,627 $17,523
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 69%

Admission

Suffolk University Elon
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,101 18,791
Admitted 8,560 12,649
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 67.3%
Enrolled % 14.2% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/32 23/28
SAT Range 1090/1280 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 Feb 15, 2026 Jan 10, 2026

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Suffolk University Elon
% Men 12% 4%
% Women 21% 7%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 40% 82%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 23% 2%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Suffolk University Elon
% In-State 54% 18%
% Out-of-State 36% 80%

Campus

Suffolk 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 Suffolk University based on total student enrollment (7,207 students vs. 6,697 students)

Suffolk University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk University or Elon?

  • Suffolk University is 1.8% more expensive to attend than Elon for in-state tuition ($44,812.00 vs. $44,029.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.8% higher at Suffolk University than Elon University ($44,812.00 vs. $44,029.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Suffolk University than Elon ($33,089 vs. $41,849)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 35.1% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($14,478 vs. $19,562)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Suffolk University than Elon University (98% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 69.1% larger than aid received Elon University ($29,627 vs. $17,523)

Suffolk University vs. Elon Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 187 points higher than at Suffolk University (1024)
  • Incoming Elon students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Suffolk University (23)
  • 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 (84.7%) than Elon (67.3%)

Suffolk University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than Suffolk University (82% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn on average $2,900 more per year than Elon graduates after ten years. ($59,100 vs. $56,200)
  • Elon University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Suffolk University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • Elon graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans 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/