About Elon University

Elon University is a selective, independent university renowned as a national model for engaged learning, along with excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs. Elon's beautiful and historic campus in central North Carolina is designated as a botanical garden.

Elon’s rich intellectual community is characterized by active student engagement with a faculty dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarly accomplishment. The curriculum is grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional and graduate programs. Elon students put knowledge into practice, fulfilling their roles as global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.

Elon sends more undergraduate students to study abroad than any other master’s-level school in the nation, and was named one of the top three universities in the nation for community service by the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service. In addition, 87 percent of students complete internships, 46 percent of students hold at least one campus leadership position, and about 21 percent of students annually work with faculty members on undergraduate research projects.

In its 2013 "America's Best Colleges" guide, U.S. News & World Report rates Elon the #2 Southern University and among the top colleges and universities in the nation "with an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching."Newsweek-Kaplan has named Elon the nation's "leader in engaged learning" and Princeton Review ranks Elon among the nation's 377 "best colleges." Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and the Fiske Guide to Colleges both name Elon one of the nation's "best value" private universities.

Elon's 385 full-time faculty teach in more than 60 undergraduate majors. The university includes Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the School of Education; the School of Law; and the School of Health Sciences. Master's programs are offered in business administration, education and interactive media, and doctoral programs include physical therapy and law. Elon operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar, including a four-week term in January.

Elon's 5,357 undergraduate and 672 graduate students come from 48 states, the District of Columbia and 48 other nations. About 25 percent are from North Carolina, with 8 percent each from Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts, 7 percent from Virginia and 5 percent each from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York.

Elon Phoenix athletics include 16 intercollegiate men's and women's sports in NCAA Division I (FCS football), and Elon is a member of the Southern Conference. In addition, many students actively participate in 18 intramural and 21 club sports.

Elon's 620-acre campus is consistently recognized as one of the nation's most beautiful college environments. The campus includes the 56-acre Elon University Forest, a land preserve and natural area for scientific research.

Elon was founded in 1889, and its core values have remained constant throughout history: close relationships between faculty and students, a culture that supports constant innovation, and a strong sense of community. Daily events, social gatherings and sidewalk conversations are the hallmarks of this friendly and welcoming academic community.