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#3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

Elon Admission Requirements

Elon, North Carolina

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Your chances of getting into Elon University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

74.5%
Admission Difficulty for Elon University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Elon is 74.5%.  Its admission rate is the 32nd 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, 13,069 out of the 17,551 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?

74% 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 1270 on the SAT
  • Score 27 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 74% 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 

1170-1360

Applicants Submitting SAT 

2%
SAT Scores for Elon University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 580
Composite 25th Percentile 1170
SAT Scores for Elon University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1360
Average SAT Score 1270

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 1270 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1360. Students who get into Elon University score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers..  Elon ranks #6 in the state of North Carolina and #236 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1270 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Elon regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, 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 1270 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 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 1265, you have around a 74% chance of being admitted. A 1360 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 84% chance of getting in.

Elon University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1360 and Above Good >84%
1265 to 1360 Avg + 74%-84%
1170 to 1265 Avg - 60%-74%
1075 to 1170 Reach 44%-60%
Less than 1075 Low <44%
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Elon ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for Elon University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for Elon University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

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 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 30.  The school ranks #5 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

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 2022 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 27 score has around 74% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 86% with a 30 ACT score.

Elon University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >86%
27 to 30 Avg + 74%-86%
25 to 27 Avg - 63%-74%
23 to 25 Reach 50%-63%
Less than 23 Low <50%
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 10,849 6,702 17,551
Accepted 8,175 4,894 13,069
Acceptance Rate 75% 73% 74%
Enrolled 995 697 1,692
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 14% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 10, 2025

Days left to Apply

48

Applicants have 48 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are 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 1270 on the SAT and 27 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, 2024