Elon University Acceptance Rate
Elon, North Carolina · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 18,791
- Admitted
- 12,649
- Yield
- 13.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Elon University's acceptance rate has risen from 53.9% in 2014–15 to 67.3% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 10,443 to 18,791 (+80%) over that period.
Its 67.3% rate makes Elon University more selective than about 67% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 68%.
Elon University has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 13.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 10,443 | 5,632 | 53.9% | 1,498 |
| 2015–16 | 10,256 | 5,866 | 57.2% | 1,524 |
| 2016–17 | 10,098 | 6,103 | 60.4% | 1,553 |
| 2017–18 | 9,623 | 6,402 | 66.5% | 1,573 |
| 2018–19 | 10,729 | 7,740 | 72.1% | 1,698 |
| 2019–20 | 10,500 | 8,236 | 78.4% | 1,659 |
| 2020–21 | 15,306 | 10,975 | 71.7% | 1,587 |
| 2021–22 | 17,834 | 13,859 | 77.7% | 1,591 |
| 2022–23 | 17,551 | 13,069 | 74.5% | 1,692 |
| 2023–24 | 18,791 | 12,649 | 67.3% | 1,677 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 11,618 | 7,949 | 68.4% |
| Men | 7,173 | 4,700 | 65.5% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 580–675 | 2% |
| SAT Math | 563–630 | |
| ACT Composite | 23–28 | 1% |
How Elon University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Elon University's acceptance rate?
Elon University's acceptance rate is 67.3% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (12,649 admitted of 18,791 applicants).
Is Elon University test optional?
Elon University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Elon University?
Elon University received 18,791 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 12,649.
What SAT score do you need for Elon University?
Admitted students at Elon University typically scored 580–675 on SAT Reading/Writing and 563–630 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Elon University getting harder to get into?
Elon University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 53.9% in 2014–15 to 67.3% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.elon.edu/.