The new edition of the popular college guide highlights Elon's commitment to engaged learning and its strong community.
The 2025 Fiske Guide to Colleges highlights Elon’s national reputation as a leader in experiential and engaged learning.
The Fiske Guide, in its 41st year, highlights more than 300 of the nation’s “best and most interesting” four-year colleges and universities with a broad range of information to assist prospective students and their families in the college search process. Edited by Edward B. Fiske, the guide is based on academic ratings, price category, quality of student life on campus and other factors.
In its entry about Elon, the guide notes that the university puts a “strong emphasis on global perspectives and active, experiential learning,” with strong paraprofessional programs. It references Founders Hall and Innovation Hall, which opened in fall 2022 as part of the university’s Innovation Quad, along with other features on Elon’s sprawling picturesque campus.
The guide discusses the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) that each student must fulfill by completing at least two of the five Elon Experiences. Also mentioned in the 2025 guide are Elon traditions like College Coffee and the Festival of Lights, as well the seven Fellows programs, living-learning communities, first-year experiences, and the small classes and personal attention from faculty members.
The Fiske Guide includes comments from current students to help illustrate the strengths of the schools included in the exclusive publication.
“I’ve found the critical thinking and reflection that comes from ELRs to be extremely beneficial for discussing my experiences and strengths in job interviews,” an Elon journalism major said in their response to the Fiske survey.
The guide highlights Elon’s emphasis on undergraduate research, internships, service learning, study abroad and leadership — the five Elon Experiences — as well as the opportunities the university provides students to mature intellectually and socially.
“Elon’s best asset is honestly its commitment to engaged learning,” says one student.
The guide also highlighted the community of support that is a hallmark of an Elon education. “Elon is a close-knit culture that’s focused on students and their overall well-being and success,” another student told Fiske.
Edward B. Fiske, the founder and editor of the Fiske Guide to Colleges, served for 17 years as education editor of the New York Times, during which time he realized that college-bound students and their families needed better information on which to base their educational choices. He wrote the Fiske Guide to Colleges to help them, updated annually with the Fiske editorial team.