ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Colleges / Elon University

Elon University

Elon, NC 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate74%

Elon University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Elon University was $41,734 a year.

Tuition was the same price in 2023 as it was the year before. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you're done with college.

Elon University meets 61% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Elon University full-time are awarded $24,165 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $33,774 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Elon University

Elon University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from North Carolina as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing an insitution where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Be sure to confirm your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other North Carolina colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Elon University?

Tuition at Elon University is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or Elon University-specific aid and scholarships.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Elon University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Elon University.

Room and Board Costs at Elon University

Room and board at Elon University is $13,886 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $6,818.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Elon University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources so that those with financial need to get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Elon University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city might be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Elon Universityis in a suburb in North Carolina, not far from Raleigh.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Financial Breakdown for Elon University


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Elon University.

How Much Does Elon University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Elon University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $41,734
Room and Board $13,886
Board Only $6,829
Other expenses $1,500

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $58,527
Off-Campus $51,120

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Elon University


In 2023, 2,070 of the 6,354 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Elon University meets 61% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $24,165 a year. Around 39% of Elon University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Elon University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $33,774 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $19,492
State Loans $4,125
Elon University-Specific Loans $3,000
Private Loans $51,596
Most Common Loans for Elon University Students
Federal Loans 36%
State loans 1%
Private loans 11.4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Elon University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Elon University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Elon University awarded 1,843 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $37.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $17.93 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Elon University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Elon University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Elon University was $24,165 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Elon University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $34,362
Off-Campus $26,955

What will attending Elon University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Elon University's net cost calculator on their website.

Elon University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Elon University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Elon University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Elon University's endowment was valued at $317.8 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Elon University spends about $17,162 a year.


Learn More About Elon University


To learn more about Elon University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Elon University

Elon University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$57,027

In State

$57,027

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$41,734
$41,734
Fees
$507
$507
Housing
$13,886
$13,886
Books
$900
$900

Elon University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

30%

Average Financial Aid Package

$24,146

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

7,123

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

74%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$42,241

Out-of-State

$42,241

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 10
Find Your Scholarship

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Search for Scholarship
Do You Work at a University?

Claim your page to customize your profile and connect with students!

Claim Free Account
ECE68226-946A-49FB-9EBE-25C918B98643
Need Advice or Have a Question About Elon University?

Connect with the world's largest college forum for candid, authentic discussion.

Join the Conversation