Elon University has once again been recognized by the Institute of International Education for the highest percentage rate of study abroad participation in the nation.
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For the 20th year, Elon University has been recognized as a national leader in study abroad in the Institute of International Education’s annual Open Doors Report. Elon is ranked #1 in the percentage of undergraduate students who participate in study abroad among doctoral universities, based on data from the 2023-24 academic year.
“We are thrilled that Elon has earned the top spot nationally for study abroad participation, reaching the highest rate in our history,” said Nick Gozik, dean of global education. “Global engagement is central to the Elon experience, and this milestone reflects our community’s deep commitment to preparing students to engage meaningfully with the world—an experience that serves them well in their lives and careers.”
Elon is committed to 100% access to global education, one of the five Elon Experiences. The Isabella Cannon Global Education Center offers a multitude of programs and resources, including the Winter Term experiences, which allow students to go on shorter study abroad programs, included in their academic year tuition (with additional fees). The university also gives more than $1 million per year in study abroad scholarships.
Elon’s student-athletes also study and compete abroad as a team, a commitment that ensures all student-athletes have the opportunity for a global experience. Elon’s Teaching Fellows in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education also study at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Fellows complete two education courses, one of which includes a month-long, full-time teaching placement.
The “Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange” is the only long-standing comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars in the U.S. The report annually ranks universities based on the percentage of the student population who study abroad. During the 2022-23 academic year, Elon ranked #2 in the nation for undergraduate participation in study abroad among doctoral universities, following Pepperdine University by 0.4%. In the previous 18 years, Elon took the top spot and now regains it for the 2022-23 academic year.
The Open Doors Report showed that in the 2023-24 academic year, 298,180 U.S. students studied abroad for academic credit, an increase of 6% from the prior year.
“The Open Doors report provides a comprehensive picture of the destinations where U.S. students study abroad,” said Mirka Martel, IIE head of research, evaluation and learning. “For U.S. students, studying abroad is an integral part of the higher education experience that prepares them to thrive in a global economy.”