Transforming students’ lives

Elon students are all-in and fully involved. This is a university of boundless opportunity, where students have a passion to fulfill their roles as global citizens – putting their knowledge into action on campus, in the community and around the world.

Here's why Elon is studied as one of the great success stories in higher education:

• A close-knit, inclusive, student-centered community
• Active, experiential approach to teaching and learning
• Mentoring student-faculty relationships
• Strong liberal arts and sciences core with professional schools that meet the highest standards of excellence
• 24/7 residential learning experience
• Outstanding value

What others are saying

#1 Focused on Student Success

U.S. News & World Report recognizes Elon more often than any other university in the nation for programs that are "Focused on Student Success." Elon is recognized for excellence in study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, first-year experiences, service learning, learning communities and senior capstone experiences.

#1 among 124 Southern Regional Universities

Elon earns the highest marks in the South in reputation, graduation rate and student SAT scores, and is ranked the #1 university with "A Strong Commitment to Teaching." - U.S. News & World Report 2014 "America's Best Colleges"

#1 in Study Abroad

Elon is ranked the nation's top master's-level university in the number of students participating in international study by the Institute of International Education

Impacting our world

Elon is a top-producing university for Fulbright Student Scholars, Peace Corps volunteers and Teach for America educators

Top-35 Best Value Private University

Elon is ranked #18 in the nation in total cost and #35 overall in academic quality and affordability - 2015 Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine

Now in its sixth printing in four languages, Transforming a College: The Story of a Little-Known College's Strategic Climb to National Distinction by eminent scholar George Keller provides a compelling case study on Elon's strategies – a model for best practices in higher education.

A vibrant intellectual community with a global perspective

Distinguished faculty choose to teach at Elon because they love to mentor students. With small classes and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, they are able to challenge individual students to reach their highest potential. Elon faculty are active and productive scholars with rich academic and professional experience. Through Elon's Center for Engaged Learning, faculty members are leading an international conversation about the most effective teaching and learning strategies.

Elon's four-year core curriculum has a strong global focus and is organized around the themes of inquiry, knowledge and communication. Students learn to see the world through many different perspectives and understand the complex relationships among the world's people, cultures, beliefs and environments.

Elon sends more undergraduate students to study abroad than any other master’s-level university in the nation. Seventy-two percent of Elon graduates have at least one international study experience, often combined with internships, research or service. In addition, Elon's Study USA program includes opportunities to study and intern across the nation.

One of the nation's finest residential campuses

Elon's 620-acre campus is consistently ranked as one of the nation's most beautiful collegiate environments and is maintained as a botanical garden. Elon is completing a $100 million transformation of its residential campus, integrating academics, living-learning communities and co-curricular activities to create an immersive 24/7 learning environment.

Seven residential neighborhoods support students' needs at each stage of their college careers. Most first-year students make the transition to college in traditional residence halls, with courses and experiences linked to their housing groups; sophomores and juniors live in leadership-themed apartments; seniors prepare for life after college at The Station at Mill Point, a new village of two-story houses. Other new facilities include the international-themed Global Neighborhood and Lakeside Dining Hall, and the Colonnades Neighborhood.

The critical value equation: A four-year plan for success

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine consistently ranks Elon among the 35 “Best Value” private universities, with a total cost that is $10,000-$20,000 lower than the other prestigious schools in the ranking, and Forbes named Elon one of four "Rising Star" universities. Elon maintains its affordable cost through a careful strategy of efficient operation, slow enrollment growth, successful fundraising and excellent strategic planning.

Elon's four-year graduation rate ranks in the top 10 percent of U.S. private universities. Student Professional Development Center counselors work with students from their first year to create personal development plans, resumes and strong networking skills. The robust Elon Network of employers, alumni and parents provides connections to internships and career opportunities. Nine months after graduation, nearly 90 percent of the Class of 2013 members were employed, enrolled in graduate school, working for a service organization or taking time off.