Personalized Degrees with 1-on-1 Professors
Other universities ask you to conform to their schedule, their courses, their curriculum, their semesters, their degrees, their four-to-five year timeline. Elton is different.
Elton University provides a world-class higher education that meets you where you are. Inspired by the last 40 years of learning science and Montessori's philosophy of education, Elton students succeed through individualized 1-on-1 tutoring and coaching with expert professors and professional coaches and advisors.
By personalizing education, our students learn more, faster, while maintaining or securing employment, and with greater purpose and motivation - this shrinks time to completion and can eliminate debt.
Even better, because Elton uses evidence-based education and uses technology to keep administrative costs low, Elton can offer its students an affordable and accessible pathway towards gaining a valuable and life-transforming higher education. Our tuition, before financial aid, is lower than even the more affordable public colleges.
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Meet Elton University
What is Special About Elton?
Accelerated Learning
By putting students' needs, interests, and choice first, Elton accelerates learning, cutting completion times (and tuition and debt) in half.
At Elton you can complete a bachelor's program in 2-3 years, an MBA or master's program in less than 1 year, and you can complete our industry-ready certificates in as quickly as 12 weeks.
Agile 1-on-1 Tutoring
Research has shown that 1-on-1 tutoring is the best way to learn - period. Elton is proud to be the first university to use 1-on-1 tutoring as the core method of instruction.
Better? Our novel approach makes 1-on-1 learning even more affordable than traditional 100+ student classes.
Values & Connection
Elton University is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization with a mission to provide the highest possible quality education for everyone. We aim to help anyone, anywhere to attain the personal growth, learning, and credentials that enable them to transform themselves, their community, and their world for the better.
Elton is a warm and friendly community that values diversity and empathy as the path to meaningful education.
How Elton Works
First, Join the Elton Community
Elton is a community of unique, diverse, and energetic people. We've built a one-of-its-kind university community made to introduce you to everyone at the university.
Meet Your Coach & Professors
You are the boss of your education at Elton. Your coach works for you. They support you as you develop educational, personal, and professional goals and overcome any roadblocks you encounter.
Study With Your Professors
Elton professors are experts in their industries and fields with a passion for helping and encouraging students to learn as much as possible. You'll work 1-on-1 or in small groups with professors to create learning plans.
Portfolio-Driven Outcomes
Your professors will help you plan and document your learning through personalized agile sprints. By doing hands-on, real-world projects, Elton students achieve the outcomes they want.
Learn faster, the way Oxford always has
Elton uses an accelerated learning model based on 1-on-1 tutoring invented and still used today at Oxford University. Evidence-based educational research demonstrates that learning accelerates when it is personalized to someone's interests and goals, and students can move at their own pace. This enables our students to complete the equivalent of a bachelor's in 3-years or an MBA in 1 and a PhD in 2-4. Elton recognizes previous study and what you've learned on the job to help you level up even faster.
We also have certificate programs in Software & AI, MBA, and Cybersecurity that can be completed in as few as 16 weeks.
Learn MoreWhat Elton Students Say About Their Experience
The faculty at Elton University truly care about their students. I was unsure if I could become a data scientist. They not only helped me build my portfolio but also guided me on attending events, networking effectively, and improving my communication skills. They even connected me with professionals in their network who could further support my career goals. They regularly checked on me to ensure I was on track and had all the support I needed.
Natalie W.
I quit community college after one semester. I was turned off to traditional higher education. Elton was different. My professors helped me pursue my own goals. I learned so much and, after 6 months, I got my first job in Hollywood.
Carissa C.
Starting a business, I didn't have time for a traditional MBA. With Elton, I got help building my business all while earning credit and a valuable credential at the same time. It was like joining an incubator and earning my master's at the same time.
Gary B.Live anywhere. Learn everywhere.
Elton students can live anywhere in the world, but students do not spend 8 hours a day glued to Zoom or YouTube videos—they meet a few times a week with professors, coaches, and other students—otherwise they spend their time studying and building things in the real world.
Students use Slack, email, Zoom, Notion, Medium, AI Assistants, as well as physical books and mail to learn and engage with coaches, professors, advisors, and your fellow students. You can learn anywhere you have access to books and a computer.
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Is Elton the first "Montessori University"?
As far as we know, Elton is the first university that follows Montessori's learning philosophy to teach topics outside of education. There are institutions that train adults to become Montessori teachers using Montessori's method. However, these institutions are teaching a method of teaching, not applying that method as the operating model for a whole university. Also, many educators are inspired by Montessori's thinking and apply it to their instruction. For instance, many schools will employ student choice and hands-on projects. What is unique about Elton is no other university has built the entire university around Montessori's philosophy in order to educate undergraduate, master's, and doctoral candidates.
We did not set out to be a Montessori university. Elton's close overlap with Montessori comes from our commitment to evidence-based education. It turns out that the last 40 years of learning science keep confirming what Maria Montessori got right decades before anyone could test it. Individualized curricula, mastery-based pacing, growth mindset language, intrinsic motivation, self-directed learning—the evidence holds up at every age, not just in a kindergarten or primary school. We're building Elton on the same principles, backed now by data spanning children through working adults.
Elton draws inspiration from three of Montessori's three core principles:
The Science of Learning
From the first page of The Montessori Method, Montessori calls for education to catch up with medicine in using science to improve learning methods. This is precisely what we try to do and advocate for at Elton. Every part of the curriculum traces back to learning research, not convention, tradition, or authority.
Freedom to Choose
Montessori trusted learners to direct and drive their own growth and learning. This does not just go for children! People at all ages learn more if they are interested, curious, and motivated to learn something. There are other schools that might let you construct your own major, but that means construct it out of the 14 week courses available that semester. Elton is the only school that enables learners to build their entire curriculum around their own interests and life goals.
One Learner, One Teacher
Montessori knew that real teaching means knowing exactly where one student stands, not managing a room of thirty. At Elton, virtually all instruction is done 1-on-1. Although this seems like it would be impossible or costly, Elton is able to earn a comfortable positive net revenue at very low tuitions primarily by reducing administrative costs and costs that do not contribute to student learning and success.
What You Get When You Enroll
Enrollment at Elton University includes the following services and opportunities.
Unlimited Coaching
At other schools you may have a counselor or advisor that you talk to once per semester — Elton is different. You meet with your coach at least twice per month. They are your advocate, your cheerleader, and your supporter. They have specific training how to help you discover your passions, set important goals, stay focused, and ultimately be a success.
Awesome Professors
Elton University's professors are not just academics who wrangled their way through a PhD program. Elton professors are chosen for their blend of real-world industry experience, their theoretical knowledge, and their passion for higher learning. Every Elton professor is trained in the Elton way and provides high-quality, student-led learning.
A World-Class Education
The research is in: 1-on-1 tutoring-based learning is the gold standard of education, and works especially well for out-of-the-box thinkers and high-flyers who are bored in regular 30-to-1 courses and classes at traditional universities.
Superb Career Services
Career Services are often in the basement of some building on campus. At Elton, career services is in the penthouse suite. Everyone leaves Elton with 21st century job-ready, hard skills. In addition, from day one of Elton, your coaches and professors will help you to explore various careers and to tie your learning to your professional goals.
Recognition for Previous Learning
One of the core principles of Elton is "Don't Waste Anyone's Time" — that includes yours! Elton recognizes the learning that you've done before arriving at Elton. Whether it is AP courses, community college, transfer credits, as well as work and life experience. All of that is relevant to building a personalized learning plan and accelerates your successful education.
Stacking Credentials
Whether you enroll in Elton's graduate or undergraduate programs, we will award you with stacking credentials. If you end your education, you walk away with the highest credential you've achieved so far.
A Valuable Community and Network
When you enroll at Elton you become part of the Elton network of students and alumni for life. This growing network contains people of diverse careers and attitudes across cities in the US and the world. Out of this group you will make some of your most memorable friends and valuable professional connections.
Mentors and Internships
Elton recruits a network of partner companies and mentors we call "Icons" (short for Industry Contacts) who you will interact with beginning from day one at Elton. Whether they are just a step ahead of you or nearing retirement, these Icons provide valuable career and life guidance for finding internships and first jobs.
Waste Not, Want Not
At Elton we have a saying: "Keep it Real." The saying means professors and students ought to learn about the real world with resources and people in the real world. If you want to study art, your professors will help you learn directly from artists. If you want to learn about philosophy, your professors will show you where to start reading and understanding books of philosophy. If you want to study business, your professors help you learn directly from people succeeding in business. By keeping things real, your education is both relevant to your life and world, and also grows in rigor and difficulty as you yourself grow and improve.
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A Unique College Experience
A big part of college is having fun, meeting new people, and having new experiences. Elton is no different. Work with your coach to achieve any goals you have, whether it is to get in shape, become a data scientist, or join a new community. At Elton, you never go it alone. Elton students are surrounded by peers, coaches, professors, mentors, and contacts. No matter where you live in the world, through Elton's innovative remote college experience, you will connect with every other student and faculty member in the university. Students band together every day to learn by studying, creating something, throwing an event, starting a new business, or founding a club.
Learn About Life with Elton
Affordable and Accessible
Elton makes it possible for you to get a valuable education and build a life anywhere in the country or the world. Elton has a generous transfer policy and makes it possible to earn college credit for learning you've done on the job and in your life. Instead of semesters, study at Elton is organized around two-week bursts called Sprints that are 100% personalized to your interests and values. Come join our community made up of students, coaches, and mentors, and develop theoretical knowledge, build career-ready skills, and live out your values.
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A University Built on Equity & Progress
Elton is built and run by people who believe that everyone can succeed if they have the resources and support they need. This belief in the creative potential of people fuels the way the Elton Community works, the way the university operates, and the way the university interacts with the world. Elton lives its values by being not-for-profit, advancing political equality, environmental harmony, and economic equity. Through the university's educational and research mission, Elton aims to support and advocate for peace, freedom, and justice around the world.
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Your Life Enrolled at Elton
Live Anywhere You Want
You can complete your education at Elton from anywhere in the world. You can live in your parent's house or in an apartment in Tokyo. Wherever you live, your coach and professors will help you leverage what is around you to accelerate your learning and success.
Learn more →The Elton Community & Your Community
Whether you are just out of high school, lived in a city for a while, or moving to a new city, your Elton coach will support you as you develop your life socially, spiritually, and professionally wherever you are.
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Athletics & Health
Work with your coach and professors to design and develop an exciting and healthy life! Whether your interests are in yoga, soccer, rock climbing or boxing—you and your coach can find what's next for you.
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Culture & The Arts
Your Elton peers, coaches, and professors can help you develop opportunities to enjoy and partake in the arts—from Burning Man installations to the Opera.
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