Elon vs. MVNU

Deciding between Elon University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elon University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • MVNU Mount Vernon, OH
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • MVNU Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • MVNU 1,671
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • MVNU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • MVNU #556
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • MVNU Church of the Nazarene
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • MVNU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • MVNU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • MVNU $37,158
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • MVNU $37,158
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • MVNU $10,394
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • MVNU $22,961
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • MVNU $26,886
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • MVNU 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • MVNU 1,230
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • MVNU 1,035
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • MVNU 84.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • MVNU 29.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • MVNU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • MVNU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • MVNU 3.55
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • MVNU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • MVNU Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • MVNU
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • MVNU 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • MVNU 1046/1315
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • MVNU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • MVNU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • MVNU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • MVNU
    • Business (44%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Human Services (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • MVNU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • MVNU $46,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • MVNU 65%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • MVNU $26,536
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • MVNU $274
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • MVNU 44%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • MVNU 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • MVNU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • MVNU No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • MVNU 85%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • MVNU 0%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • MVNU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • MVNU 2%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • MVNU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • MVNU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • MVNU 2%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • MVNU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • MVNU 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • MVNU 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • MVNU 10%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Elon Yes
  • MVNU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Elon No
  • MVNU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Elon Yes
  • MVNU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Elon No
  • MVNU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Elon No
  • MVNU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than MVNU based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Mount Vernon Nazarene University is in Mount Vernon, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Mount Vernon Nazarene University 13:1.

Elon vs. MVNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or MVNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than Elon ($22,961 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 30.6% lower than at Elon University ($10,394 vs. $14,985).
  • Elon University is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MVNU (about $9,800 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $37,158.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Elon than at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (about $9,800 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $37,158.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Vernon Nazarene University students is 50.5% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($26,886 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. MVNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or MVNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MVNU and Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 30 points higher than at MVNU (1180).
  • Incoming Elon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at MVNU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Mount Vernon Nazarene University 1046/1315.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Mount Vernon Nazarene University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; MVNU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at MVNU (3.55).
  • MVNU has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 29.3% at MVNU.

Elon vs. MVNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and MVNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Mount Vernon Nazarene University's (57%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than MVNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,286 lower median loan debt than MVNU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,536).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MVNU graduates ($240 vs. $274).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MVNU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.