E
#4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

Elon Admission Requirements

Elon, North Carolina

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Elon University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

67.3%
Admission Difficulty for Elon University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Elon is 67.3%.  Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Elon and can you get accepted?

Elon is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 12,649 out of the 18,791 who applied were admitted.

Elon University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Elon?

67% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Elon University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.65 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1220 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Elon GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.65*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Elon University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Elon are to have around a 3.65 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Elon accepts 67% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Elon is 3.65 on the 4.0 scale. 54% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Elon is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Elon University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 54.06% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 11.39% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 12.59% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 10.45% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 6.73% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 4.72% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.06% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.65 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

Elon SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Elon University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 2% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1143-1305

Applicants Submitting SAT 

2%
SAT Scores for Elon University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 563
Composite 25th Percentile 1143
SAT Scores for Elon University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 675
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1305
Average SAT Score 1220

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Elon University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Elon is 1220 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1143-1305. Students who get into Elon University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Elon ranks #9 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1220 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Elon regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1143 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1143, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1070, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Elon University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1220 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1224, you have around a 67% chance of being admitted. A 1305 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 79% chance of getting in.

Elon University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1305 and Above Good >79%
1224 to 1305 Avg + 67%-79%
1143 to 1224 Avg - 52%-67%
1062 to 1143 Reach 36%-52%
Less than 1062 Low <36%
Calculate My Chances 

Elon ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for Elon University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for Elon University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Elon?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Elon is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 28.  The school ranks #10 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

1 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Elon University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Elon University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Elon for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 67% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 81% with a 28 ACT score.

Elon University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >81%
25 to 28 Avg + 67%-81%
23 to 25 Avg - 55%-67%
21 to 23 Reach 42%-55%
Less than 21 Low <42%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

54% of Elon University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 22% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Elon University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 22%
Top 25% of class 54%
Top 50% of class 85%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Elon University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,618 7,173 18,791
Accepted 7,949 4,700 12,649
Acceptance Rate 68% 66% 67%
Enrolled 983 694 1,677
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 15% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 10, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 10, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Elon University is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Elon University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Elon University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Elon University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Elon is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.65 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1220 on the SAT and 25 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Elon University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198516 IPEDS survey data for Elon University.

Last updated February 24, 2025