A Vibrant Community: Elon University's Student Population

how many students at elon university

Elon University, a nationally recognised leader in engaged experiential learning, has a student population of more than 7,000. The university, which is located in North Carolina, was founded in 1889 as Elon College and has since grown to accommodate thousands of students from across the United States and the world.

Characteristics Values
Undergraduate enrollment 6,402 (fall 2023)
Total number of students 7,000+
Gender distribution 41.2% male, 58.8% female
Students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing 69%
Students living off campus 31%
Campus size 656 acres
Year founded 1889
Original student body 76 students
Number of schools 6
Number of undergraduate majors 51+
Number of varsity sports teams 17
Number of states students come from 46
Number of countries students come from 49

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Elon University has over 7,000 students

Elon University, a nationally recognised leader in engaged experiential learning, has over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university, which is located in North Carolina's Piedmont region, was founded in 1889 as Elon College. It offers a rigorous curriculum grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences, with an emphasis on global experiences and career development.

The university's historic 656-acre campus includes the 56-acre Elon University Forest, a land preserve and natural area for scientific research, as well as Loy Farm, a centre for environmental research and sustainability. The campus also houses numerous student organisations, including Elon Volunteers, Habitat for Humanity, and Model UN.

Elon University's student body is diverse, with students coming from 46 states and 49 countries. The gender distribution is approximately 60% female and 40% male, and the university offers a range of academic programs, including more than 70 undergraduate majors and professional and graduate programs in law, business, education, and healthcare.

The university is known for its small class sizes and emphasis on hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff. Students at Elon have access to various opportunities, such as studying abroad and participating in internships, undergraduate research, service, and leadership programs. The university's ranking and recognition include being voted the #13 most innovative national university, and it has received a top ranking for excellence in undergraduate teaching for three consecutive years.

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The student body is 60% female

Elon University in North Carolina has a student body that is 60% female. This private university, which was founded in 1889, has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,402 students (as of Fall 2023). The gender distribution is 41.2% male and 58.8% female.

Elon University's student population is diverse, with students coming from 46 states and 49 countries. The leading suppliers of undergraduates are North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. The university's campus size is 656 acres, although another source states it is 690 acres. The campus 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.

Elon University is a nationally recognized leader in engaged and experiential learning. Its curriculum is grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences, with an emphasis on global experiences and career development. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate academic majors, as well as professional and graduate programs in law, business, education, and healthcare.

The university's athletic teams are known as the Phoenix and compete in the NCAA Division I. There are 17 intercollegiate men's and women's sports teams, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, and tennis for men, and basketball, cross-country, golf, indoor track, outdoor track, soccer, softball, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball for women.

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The majority of students are from out of state

Elon University in North Carolina has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,402 students as of Fall 2023. The campus size spans 656 acres, with a further 56-acre Elon University Forest. The university is ranked 121st in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in the category of National Universities.

The majority of students at Elon University are from out of state. In fact, students from the host state of North Carolina only make up 21% of the student population. The remaining 79% of students come from 42 other states and the District of Columbia. The top ten represented states are Massachusetts (13%), New Jersey (8%), New York (7%), Virginia (7%), Maryland (6%), Connecticut (6%), Pennsylvania (4%), Georgia (3%), and Florida (3%).

The university attracts students from across the United States, demonstrating its broad appeal and diverse student body. Elon University's reputation as a leader in experiential learning and its focus on global experiences and career development likely contribute to its ability to attract students from a wide range of geographic locations.

The university's academic community challenges, encourages, and empowers students to explore their passions and achieve their goals. This, coupled with its emphasis on hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty, creates an attractive and unique educational offering.

Elon University's ranking as a National University and its competitive tuition fees of $46,958 may also be factors in its ability to attract students from across the country.

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Elon has 17 varsity sports teams

Elon University in North Carolina has around 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers more than 70 undergraduate academic majors. The university's varsity athletics teams compete in NCAA Division I in the Coastal Athletic Association, and the university has 17 varsity sports teams known as the Phoenix.

The Phoenix athletics program includes 17 intercollegiate men's and women's sports. Elon's athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Colonial Athletic Association, which they joined in 2014 after a decade in the Southern Conference.

Intercollegiate sports for men include baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's intercollegiate sports include basketball, cross-country, golf, indoor track, outdoor track, soccer, softball, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball.

Elon University's campus recreation department also offers intramural and club sports programs, such as baseball, cycling, lacrosse, and flag football.

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The campus is 656 acres

Elon University's campus spans 656 acres (265.5 hectares) in North Carolina's Piedmont region, between Greensboro and Raleigh. The campus is located in Elon, adjacent to Burlington, a city of 50,000 people. Elon University's campus is organised into seven distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character and purpose.

The Historic Campus, one of the seven neighbourhoods, is the oldest part of the university and serves as the "campus core." It comprises eight residence halls: Carolina, Smith, Hook, Brannock, Barney, West, Virginia, and Sloan. Elon College Historic District and Johnston Hall, located within the Historic Campus, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Central Campus neighbourhood is home to the Alamance Building, which opened in 1925 and is named for the citizens of Alamance County. This building is centrally located along East Haggard Avenue and houses various administrative offices, classrooms, and departments, including Academic Affairs, Business, Finance, Technology, English, and Human Services Study.

The Global Neighbourhood, The Oaks, and The Station at Mill Point each offer unique features and amenities. The East Neighbourhood, situated at the eastern end of the campus along East Haggard Avenue, is the newest addition to the university.

Elon University's campus is not just large and diverse but also rich in history and culture. The university was founded in 1889 as Elon College by the Christian Connection, which later became part of the United Church of Christ. The original student body consisted of 76 students. In 1923, a fire destroyed most of the campus, including school records, classrooms, the library, and the chapel. However, the university persevered and rebuilt, with many of the new buildings becoming the bedrock of the campus.

Frequently asked questions

As of Fall 2023, Elon University has a total of 6,402 undergraduate students enrolled.

In 2019, Elon University had a total of 7,117 students enrolled, including 6,291 undergraduate students and 826 graduate students.

Elon University was founded as Elon College in 1889 with 76 students.

69% of Elon University students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing.

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