Elon University has built a national reputation as the premier student-centered environment for engaged, experiential learning, with an emphasis on strong personal relationships between students and their faculty and staff mentors.
Elon’s rigorous curriculum is grounded in the arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional and graduate programs. The 439 full-time faculty members teach in more than 60 undergraduate majors, along with master’s programs in business administration, management, accounting, education, higher education, interactive media and physician assistant studies; and doctoral programs in physical therapy and law. Elon’s four-year graduation rate of 79 percent ranks in the top 10 percent of U.S. private universities.
The university includes Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, which is located on a campus in downtown Greensboro, N.C.
Elon’s 6,200 undergraduate and 800 graduate students come from 47 states and 53 other countries. About 25 percent are from North Carolina, with strong enrollment numbers from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and other states across the country.
Elon sends more undergraduate students to study abroad than any other master’s-level university in the nation. Seventy-eight 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 in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Alaska and other locations.
Elon is among the nation’s top universities for producing Fulbright Student Scholars and Peace Corps volunteers. Elon earns top rankings for community service by the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service, with 89 percent of students participating in service-learning. In addition, 89 percent of students complete internships, 49 percent of students hold at least one campus leadership position, and 23 percent of students work with faculty mentors on undergraduate research projects.
Elon’s engaging intellectual climate is distinguished by supportive and collaborative human relationships that promote personal growth. More than 200 student organizations flourish, providing a rich array of opportunities to get involved. Student Professional Development Center counselors work with students 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.
Elon leads the nation in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report ranking of academic programs that “Focus on Student Success,” earning recognition for excellence in all eight categories of high-impact experiences. U.S. News also ranks Elon the #1 Southern master’s-level university, with #1 rankings for undergraduate teaching and innovation. Princeton Review ranks Elon among the nation’s 382 “best colleges.” Poets & Quants ranks Elon among the nation’s top undergraduate business, marketing and MBA programs. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine names Elon one of the nation’s “best value” private universities.
Elon is a member of the Colonial Athletics Association, and the Phoenix athletics program includes 17 intercollegiate men’s and women’s sports in NCAA Division I (FCS football). In addition, Elon offers 18 intramural and 21 club sports.
Elon’s historic 656-acre campus in central North Carolina is designated as a botanical garden and includes the 56-acre Elon University Forest, a land preserve and natural area for scientific research; and Loy Farm, a center for environmental research and sustainability that includes a solar farm.
Elon’s School of Communications, home to the Imagining the Internet Center, brings together 1,300 students and more than 80 faculty and staff, creating a vibrant learning environment that has propelled it to be one of the nation’s great communications schools. Elon students encounter a challenging curriculum and immerse themselves in professional settings – all under the mentorship of teacher-scholars with years of experience in news, interactive media, television, public relations, advertising, web design, screenwriting, film production, photojournalism and sport management.