Elon University
Elon University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university in Elon, North Carolina, founded in 1889, serving 7,000+ undergraduate and graduate students across six schools plus a new engineering school, with signature experiential learning programs and tuition-driven enrollment distributed across main and national campuses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1889
- HeadquartersElon, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Elon University does
Elon University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university founded in 1889 and located in Elon, North Carolina, operating on a 700-acre botanical garden campus with 7,000+ undergraduate and graduate students and 1,001–5,000 employees. It delivers degree programs through six schools — Elon College of Arts & 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 Elon Law — plus a newly launched School of Engineering and Computing (2026) and Roberts Academy, a private K-6 school for children with dyslexia opening August 2026. Academic delivery is anchored on five signature "Elon Experiences" (study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, leadership, and service), a Student Professional Development Center, and supporting platforms including OnTrack (student portal) and Canvas LMS (transitioning from Moodle in 2026). Institutional accreditations span ABA, AACSB, ACEJMC, NCATE, ABET, and Phi Beta Kappa.
The business model is tuition-driven: revenue derives from undergraduate and graduate enrollment across main campus plus five national campuses (Charlotte, Greensboro, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C.), supported by gifts, auxiliaries, and research grants. Go-to-market relies on a multi-channel admissions funnel (institutional website, organic social, email/newsletter, campus visits, and an MSBA Flex Program targeting working professionals in Charlotte). The customer base is highly fragmented across individual undergraduate and graduate students and their families, with three persona segments — undergraduate, graduate, and international students — and no meaningful enterprise concentration.
Strategically, Elon is in active expansion mode: it is absorbing Queens University of Charlotte via merger (announced 2023, SOAR integration committee ongoing into 2026), launching the engineering school and Roberts Academy, modernizing its LMS to Canvas, and adding an AI-focused graduate business pathway. Brand positioning is anchored in five consecutive years of the #1 U.S. News & World Report ranking for excellence in undergraduate teaching, 96% placement or grad school outcomes, 83% internship participation, and a $74K median graduate salary. AI capability is concentrated in research, teaching, and curriculum adoption (Imagining the Digital Future Center, AI Play camp, MSBA AI pathway) rather than proprietary AI products.
Elon University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elon University
- Legal name
- Elon University
- Website
- https://elon.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1889
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Elon University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university in Elon, North Carolina, founded in 1889, serving 7,000+ undergraduate and graduate students across six schools plus a new engineering school, with signature experiential learning programs and tuition-driven enrollment distributed across main and national campuses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elon University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)
Keywords
Where Elon University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Elon University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Elon University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elon University is a private nonprofit liberal arts university in Elon, North Carolina operating a 700-acre residential campus and delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across multiple academic schools (arts & sciences, business, communications, education, health sciences, law, and a newly announced school of engineering). It bundles every degree with its signature "Elon Experiences" — study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, leadership, and service learning — as a required part of the curriculum. The institution also operates satellite academic centers in several U.S. cities and an affiliated K-8 academy for students with dyslexia.
Product overview
Elon University is a higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple academic divisions including Elon College (Arts & Sciences), Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, School of Communications, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, School of Health Sciences, and School of Law. The university's product portfolio consists of educational degree programs complemented by experiential learning components known as the Elon Experiences (study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, leadership, service), support services including the Student Professional Development Center, and administrative platforms such as OnTrack, Moodle (being replaced by Canvas), and regional campuses in Charlotte, Greensboro, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. Research centers include the Imagining the Internet Center, Imagining the Digital Future Center, Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, and Roberts Academy for dyslexia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences: The primary undergraduate college within Elon University offering liberal arts and sciences programs.
- Martha and Spencer Love School of Business
- School of Communications
- Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Law (Elon Law)
- School of Engineering and Computing
- Roberts Academy
- Slattery Center
Products and services
- Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences The university's foundational undergraduate college, enrolling the majority of Elon students in liberal arts and sciences majors across humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts.
- Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Accredited business school offering undergraduate majors, the MBA, and the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), with programs delivered on the main campus, online, and at the Charlotte Center.
- School of Communications One of the largest and most recognized programs at Elon, offering majors in journalism, strategic communications, media analytics, cinema & television production, and sport management, supported by studios and student media outlets.
- Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Accredited school preparing undergraduate and graduate students for initial teacher licensure, educational leadership, and higher-education administration careers.
- School of Health Sciences School offering undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, and other allied health professions, with clinical placements.
- Elon University School of Law ABA-accredited law school offering the Juris Doctor (JD) with concentrations and dual-degree pathways, focused on experiential legal training through clinics and residencies.
- School of Engineering and Computing Newly announced undergraduate engineering and computing school created through the Queens University of Charlotte merger, expected to begin enrolling students in engineering programs in Fall 2026.
- Elon Experiences Signature five-pillar experiential learning requirement built into every undergraduate degree, covering study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, leadership development, and service learning.
- Roberts Academy Affiliated tuition-based K-5 (extending to grade 8) academy on the Elon campus serving students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, launching August 2026.
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) - Flex Program Hybrid graduate business analytics degree offered primarily at Elon's Charlotte Center for working professionals, featuring an AI-focused analytics concentration.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% of graduates employed, in grad school, or service within 9 months
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Elon University
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Elon University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
Elon University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Instructure (Canvas)coreElon University announced it will transition from Moodle to Canvas by Instructure as its learning management system next academic year, following a campuswide evaluation that identified improvements in gradebook and grading, course analytics, mobile interface, uninterrupted upgrades, and course communication tools.
- Queens University of CharlottecoreElon University and Queens University of Charlotte formed the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee to explore a long-term merger. The committee is working on academic and co-curricular possibilities for the combined institution, with representatives from both campuses envisioning enhanced student success. A preliminary list of ideas is expected to be presented to both boards of trustees at spring meetings, with a final compendium due by July 1, 2026.
- Ohio UniversityminorAs part of Ohio University's Teaching and Transformation (T1) initiative, an August 2025 peer gathering at Ohio University's Athens campus involved Purdue University, Elon University, and Georgetown University exploring common challenges in faculty support and student learning.
- Epic GamesminorEpic Games designated Elon University's game design minor as an 'Unreal Academic Partner' following an application process that evaluated curriculum structure, facilities, hardware resources, faculty qualifications, and student work examples. The recognition highlights the university's program alignment with industry-standard game development tools.
- Eugene Lang FoundationminorElon University initiated Project Pericles in 2002 when it became one of 10 universities to accept a challenge from the Eugene Lang Foundation to provide a learning experience that would instill social responsibility and civic concern in students.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Elon University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marquette University: Private mid-sized Jesuit university with multiple professional schools and experiential learning emphasis; comparable size and program mix to Elon.
- Wake Forest University: Private North Carolina university of similar size and selectivity with multiple professional schools; competes with Elon for the same regional applicant pool and employer pipelines.
- Furman University: Private Southeastern liberal arts university with comparable undergraduate focus, signature experiential programs, and similar applicant demographics in the Carolinas.
- High Point University: Private North Carolina university similar in size and growth profile, targeting similar undergraduate segments and competing in the same regional talent market.
- Quinnipiac University: Private mid-sized comprehensive university with strong professional schools (business, law, health sciences) and career-outcomes orientation comparable to Elon.
- Rollins College: Private liberal arts college of similar scale emphasizing engaged learning and career outcomes; competes with Elon in private liberal arts undergraduate rankings.
- Creighton University: Private mid-sized Jesuit university with law, business, health sciences and education schools; similar scale, accreditation breadth, and career-focused positioning.
- Loyola Marymount University: Private California comprehensive university with strong undergraduate teaching reputation and multiple professional schools; comparable size and program breadth.
- Butler University: Private mid-sized Indiana university known for undergraduate teaching quality and professional programs; similar selectivity, size, and program mix to Elon.
- Bryant University: Private mid-sized university with strong business and analytics programs and experiential learning focus; comparable scale and career-outcomes orientation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elon University social profiles
Digital presenceElon University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Elon University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elon University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Elon University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elon University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elon University
What does Elon University do?
Elon University is a private nonprofit liberal arts university in Elon, North Carolina operating a 700-acre residential campus and delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across multiple academic schools (arts & sciences, business, communications, education, health sciences, law, and a newly announced school of engineering). It bundles every degree with its signature "Elon Experiences" — study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, leadership, and service learning — as a required part of the curriculum. The institution also operates satellite academic centers in several U.S. cities and an affiliated K-8 academy for students with dyslexia.
Is Elon University a public or private company?
Elon University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Elon University founded?
Elon University was founded in 1889. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Elon University based?
Elon University is headquartered in Elon, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Elon University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marquette University, Wake Forest University, Furman University, High Point University, Quinnipiac University, Rollins College, Creighton University, Loyola Marymount University, Butler University and Bryant University.
Does Elon University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elon University.
What industry is Elon University in?
Elon University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAJ, Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering, with a secondary code of EDAHALAK, Online Nonprofit Universities. Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.