Tuition
Elon University is committed to providing an exceptional education at a reasonable cost. 
A college education is an investment for a lifetime. Elon University provides an outstanding value in private higher education and maintains its affordable cost through a careful strategy of efficient operation, slow enrollment growth, successful fundraising and excellent strategic planning.
The total annual cost of Elon’s exceptional education is more than $13,000 less than that of most peer private colleges and universities. This cost advantage, along with Elon’s excellent four-year graduation rate, is why Elon is consistently rated a “Best Value” university
The reasons Elon consistently earns top “best-value” rankings
2026-2027 Newly Admitted Student Cost
The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA) represents the total estimated cost of attending Elon for one year, including tuition, housing, meals, books, personal expenses and transportation. For federal financial aid purposes, indirect costs including books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses are added to direct costs such as tuition, fees, food and housing to determine Elon University’s official total cost of attendance.
Your financial need is determined by subtracting your Student Aid Index (SAI), as reported on your FAFSA, from Elon’s total Cost of Attendance (COA). This calculation helps identify the types and amounts of federal and state financial aid you may qualify for. In your first year at Elon, the CSS Profile is also required in order to be considered for need‑based institutional aid.
The 2026-2027 Cost of Attendance (fall 2026/spring 2027) figures are based on full-time enrollment. Less than full-time enrollment status will result in a decrease in certain direct and indirect costs and consequently will result in a reduction of financial aid eligibility based on enrollment.
Total actual costs per student may vary depending upon student classification, enrollment status, and food and housing selections. Per federal regulations, the aggregate financial aid offer given to students may not exceed the stated cost of attendance.
Food and Housing figures are based on an average room cost and the All-Access Basic meal plan. Total actual costs per student may vary depending upon food and housing selections, but aggregate financial aid may not exceed the stated cost of attendance.
Newly Admitted Students - Undergraduate
| Budget Item | Amount |
| Direct Costs | |
| Tuition (full time: three courses per semester=12 hours) | $50,386 |
| Student Activity Fee | $292 |
| Health and Wellness Fee | $690 |
| Housing (based on first year average) | $9,306 |
| Food (basic meal plan) | $8,229 |
| Indirect Costs | |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Transportation allowance | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous expense allowance | $2,000 |
| Total Cost of Attendance for Financial Aid | $73,403 |
Continuing Students - Undergraduate
| Budget Item | Amount |
| Direct Costs | |
| Tuition (full time: three courses per semester=12 hours) | $50,386 |
| Student Activity Fee | $292 |
| Health and Wellness Fee | $690 |
| Housing (based on returning student year average) | $9,344 |
| Food (basic meal plan) | $8,229 |
| Indirect Costs | |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Transportation allowance | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous expense allowance | $2,000 |
| Total Cost of Attendance for Financial Aid | $73,441 |
Please Keep in Mind
- If you are interested in Federal Student Aid, visit Applying for Financial Aid.
- For newly admitted students apply early for need-based aid by filing a CSS Profile. You are only required to submit the CSS Profile once — in your first year — for institutional aid consideration.
- All students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA annually to apply for federal and state aid. A completed FAFSA also gives eligibility for student and parent loans.
- You should complete and submit all applications and forms no later than mid-January.
- Unless the student is a continuing student, no aid is processed until the student has been accepted for admission to Elon University; however, you should not wait until you have been accepted to apply for aid.
- Federal Direct Student Loans and Parent PLUS Loans include an origination fee charged by the federal government. This fee is deducted from the loan funds before they are disbursed to Elon on the student’s behalf. The fee is 1.057% for Direct Student Loans and the fee for Direct Parent PLUS Loans is 4.228%. The most current average fee incurred by students is $82.45. The average fee incurred by parents is $1,307.
- Financial Aid questions? Contact us at finaid@elon.edu or call (336) 278-7640.
- To learn more about the billing process or to pay your tuition bill online, visit the Student Financial Services website.