Elon University’s 2025 Surge: Rankings, Scholarships, and Campus Upgrades You Need to Know

Elon University will assume operational oversight of Queens University of Charlotte in what leaders are calling a “historic” higher-education merger designed to expand academic options and strengthen Charlotte’s talent pipeline. Announced 16 September during a joint news conference and a prerecorded message to Elon’s College Coffee gathering, the agreement received unanimous approval from both boards of trustees. Queens University, a 170-year-old Charlotte institution, will keep its name and liberal-arts heritage while adopting Elon’s nationally recognized “engaged learning” model. Why the merger matters • Creates a combined institution of nearly 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students, making it one of North Carolina’s largest private universities. • Expands access to Elon's flexible law, sport management and upcoming physician assistant programs already based in Uptown Charlotte. • Gives Queens students immediate use of Elon’s 3,000-plus alumni network in the metro area, enhancing internships and job placement. • Positions Charlotte as a regional hub for health sciences, business analytics and media, sectors specifically cited in the universities’ joint strategic plan. Voices from campus “Elon University with Queens is honored to provide leadership for the future of higher education in one of America’s fastest-growing cities,” Elon President Connie Book said, pledging a fall listening tour to gather input from students, faculty and community partners. Queens Acting President Jesse Cureton called the move “bold and visionary,” adding that core values of service, inclusivity and innovation “will continue to thrive while new opportunities are created for our students.” Timeline and next steps • Transition teams begin work this month; a formal integration plan is expected by spring 2026. • Current students will keep their professors and degree paths; no tuition or scholarship changes are planned for the 2025-26 academic year. • Faculty town hall: 19 September, Alumni Gym, Elon. Student Q&A: 18 September, Moseley Center, room 215. • Athletics programs will remain independent for the 2025 seasons while conference affiliations are evaluated. Economic impact Local business leaders, including former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl, endorsed the merger as a catalyst for Charlotte’s workforce readiness. Data from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance projects 13 % job growth in tech, finance and health care by 2030—fields Elon-Queens programs aim to serve. Bottom line By uniting Elon University’s experiential learning reputation with Queens University of Charlotte’s urban footprint, the merger sets up a powerhouse private institution poised to meet North Carolina’s escalating demand for skilled graduates, research partnerships and community engagement.