Anonymous
08/20/2025 13:59
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
According to their most recent CDS (2024-25), out of 18105 total applicants, 478 were International. Of those 478, 263 were accepted, and 34 enrolled.
International is clearly a very small component of Elon's student body. Thus, a drop-off in International this year cannot possibly account for their 12% decline in enrollment.
The other proffered excuse -- the demographic cliff -- doesn't hold water (as others have mentioned) because this year was the peak of the cliff, not the drop-off.
It seems that the stink on the name Elon Musk really has rubbed off on poor Elon University. No other factor appears to account for them not filling their class by such a wide margin.
International is clearly a very small component of Elon's student body. Thus, a drop-off in International this year cannot possibly account for their 12% decline in enrollment.
The other proffered excuse -- the demographic cliff -- doesn't hold water (as others have mentioned) because this year was the peak of the cliff, not the drop-off.
It seems that the stink on the name Elon Musk really has rubbed off on poor Elon University. No other factor appears to account for them not filling their class by such a wide margin.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 13:53
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For class of 2029. Thoughts?
https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2025/08/elon-university-class-of-2029-enrollment-decreases-11-6
The whole U.S. student market is going towards the direction of either you go to a T50 national university, or a T20 LAC, or you don’t go at all.
The whole U.S. student market?! Good lord, get out of your bubble.
NP here. I think pp is right except she forgot state schools. It is T50 or state publics whether that is UVA or Rutgers.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 13:07
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Perfect storm:
1. Expensive, mid-tier private at a time when people are feeling economic precarity…
2. …and the government is reducing college affordability/access by limiting federally subsidized loans…
3. …and also reducing the international student pool.
4. Yes, Elon Musk has made the name “Elon” toxic. This might not be a big issue for a highly ranked, widely know school, but for a school like Elon, combined with the other factors, it’s a problem. How many people want to walk around with the name “Elon” plastered across their chest or on a hat? Most people have never heard of Elon University, so their first association when they see an Elon sweatshirt is Musk. It’s terrible for their brand, and a small, expensive, regional school cannot afford that.
Agree. Maybe 4 shouldn't be an issue, but of course it is. It happens on first mention, why would you visit there, what?
Anonymous
08/20/2025 12:39
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Elon acceptance rate for ED: 92%
Acceptance rate for RD: 68%
Makes you wonder how much less selective they need to get to fully enroll.
Acceptance rate for RD: 68%
Makes you wonder how much less selective they need to get to fully enroll.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 12:33
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
A lot of smaller colleges are going to fall off the demographic cliff faster with international students going elsewhere.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 12:25
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Perfect storm:
1. Expensive, mid-tier private at a time when people are feeling economic precarity…
2. …and the government is reducing college affordability/access by limiting federally subsidized loans…
3. …and also reducing the international student pool.
4. Yes, Elon Musk has made the name “Elon” toxic. This might not be a big issue for a highly ranked, widely know school, but for a school like Elon, combined with the other factors, it’s a problem. How many people want to walk around with the name “Elon” plastered across their chest or on a hat? Most people have never heard of Elon University, so their first association when they see an Elon sweatshirt is Musk. It’s terrible for their brand, and a small, expensive, regional school cannot afford that.
Isn't Elon a lot cheaper than other privates? In NY it is seen as a solid choice for students who really want to be in the South but don't have the stats for Emory or Wake. I also know a kid who probably could have gotten into one of those 2, but chose Elon for the business leaders program + smaller more personal experience. Parents are well-off and the tuition isn't an issue.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 11:57
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Perfect storm:
1. Expensive, mid-tier private at a time when people are feeling economic precarity…
2. …and the government is reducing college affordability/access by limiting federally subsidized loans…
3. …and also reducing the international student pool.
4. Yes, Elon Musk has made the name “Elon” toxic. This might not be a big issue for a highly ranked, widely know school, but for a school like Elon, combined with the other factors, it’s a problem. How many people want to walk around with the name “Elon” plastered across their chest or on a hat? Most people have never heard of Elon University, so their first association when they see an Elon sweatshirt is Musk. It’s terrible for their brand, and a small, expensive, regional school cannot afford that.
1. Expensive, mid-tier private at a time when people are feeling economic precarity…
2. …and the government is reducing college affordability/access by limiting federally subsidized loans…
3. …and also reducing the international student pool.
4. Yes, Elon Musk has made the name “Elon” toxic. This might not be a big issue for a highly ranked, widely know school, but for a school like Elon, combined with the other factors, it’s a problem. How many people want to walk around with the name “Elon” plastered across their chest or on a hat? Most people have never heard of Elon University, so their first association when they see an Elon sweatshirt is Musk. It’s terrible for their brand, and a small, expensive, regional school cannot afford that.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 10:04
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Using the cliff as an excuse is lame - don't act like people are stupid.
I'm surprised they didn't have a waitlist that they could use to at least bridge some of the gap.
Elon is cheaper than a lot of other privates - total cost for the upcoming year is $66k.
I know several fairly recent Elon grads who had a great experience there and good outcomes. I'm not sure what is happening but I hope this isn't something major. I would be less concerned if they weren't using lame excuses.
I think the issue is that Elon used to be a "cheap" private. Because of this they could get away with not giving out merit aid. This is no longer the case. Their tuition has crept up. Very few people pay full price at private schools these days.
10 years ago it was 32000 and is now over 48,000.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:58
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:The name Elon is tainted.
This
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:57
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a kid heading there, they’ve been wonderful so far. Reminds me a lot of my Notre Dame kid’s experience as far as being family friendly with strong marketing. The name does bother me, but we got over it. I’m sure it hurt a little.
You are sending your kid to Elon?
Where the hell do you think the will get a job upon graduation?
That is the reason one goes to college.
Not to mention it’s in a crappy part of NC
DP. You’re an idiot.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:47
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid heading there, they’ve been wonderful so far. Reminds me a lot of my Notre Dame kid’s experience as far as being family friendly with strong marketing. The name does bother me, but we got over it. I’m sure it hurt a little.
You are sending your kid to Elon?
Where the hell do you think the will get a job upon graduation?
That is the reason one goes to college.
Not to mention it’s in a crappy part of NC
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:45
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
My daughter was recommended Elon, and we looked at their info briefly. The marketing materials are not straightforward and seemed odd (imo) in regards to merit aid. The data on the website seemed to indicate that to get merit and/or in the honors program at Elon the GPA range was 4.6-4.7 and the SAT scores were in the 1500s. I am sure Elon is a great school, but if your kids have those stats, I think you would go somewhere else, like UVA, for example. I also think the location and proximity to an airport are a deterrent. I don't think their issues are due to Elon Musk, but who knows?
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:28
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For class of 2029. Thoughts?
https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2025/08/elon-university-class-of-2029-enrollment-decreases-11-6
The whole U.S. student market is going towards the direction of either you go to a T50 national university, or a T20 LAC, or you don’t go at all.
Absolutely incorrect.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:24
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
This is a great school. #1 for Undergraduate teaching, which means something. I wonder if the international students bailed.
Anonymous
08/20/2025 09:24
Subject: Elon big decline in enrollment
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For class of 2029. Thoughts?
https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2025/08/elon-university-class-of-2029-enrollment-decreases-11-6
The whole U.S. student market is going towards the direction of either you go to a T50 national university, or a T20 LAC, or you don’t go at all.
Agreed.
This statement needs some modification. U.S. students will go to the T50 privates, T20 LACs, or state schools. It's schools like Elon - private, not top-tier - that need to compete with in-state options.