In a historic announcement Tuesday, Queens University of Charlotte revealed plans to merge completely with Elon University, marking a milestone moment for higher education in North Carolina.
At the announcement on Queens’ campus, Acting President Jesse Cureton praised the merger as a “bold vision for the future” that would strengthen Queens and ensure long-term stability. Cureton emphasized that Queens’ 170-year-old core values would remain intact through the transition.
Boards of both universities voted to approve the merger, combining two institutions founded in the 1800s. Queens began in Charlotte in 1857, while Elon was established in 1889.
A New Era of Oversight
Elon University President Connie Book confirmed that Elon will assume operational oversight of Queens. In a prerecorded message, she explained that Queens’ Myers Park campus will become a new home for Elon graduate students.
Elon already maintains a strong presence in Charlotte. The university opened its Charlotte Center in South End in 2023, housing graduate and undergraduate programs. Elon also launched a flexible law school program in 2024, enrolling 36 students in its inaugural Charlotte class. Additional offerings include sport management and a physician assistant program scheduled to begin in 2027.
Balancing Scale and Resources
The merger unites a much larger, financially stronger Elon with a smaller Charlotte-based institution. Elon, located near Greensboro, has about 7,300 students and reported $1.2 billion in assets in 2024. Queens, with just under 2,000 students, reported $189 million in assets last year.
For Queens, the partnership provides financial security and access to Elon’s engaged learning model and alumni network. For Elon, the merger expands scale and strengthens its Charlotte footprint.
National Context
Across the country, small private colleges face rising costs and declining tuition revenue. Many are pressured to merge or reinvent themselves to survive. Queens has already taken steps to raise its profile, including a 2022 move to Division I athletics.
North Carolina universities increasingly view Charlotte as a critical hub, often expanding through satellite programs in law, business, and health care.
