

Charlotte, NCprivate nonprofitwww.queens.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 65%–71% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Queens University of Charlotte is a small, private liberal arts university with a surprisingly robust career focus—think of it as a Southern liberal arts college that’s quietly pragmatic. With a 56-62% acceptance rate, it’s accessible yet selective enough to maintain academic rigor, and its 60% four-year graduation rate suggests students get out on time. The campus, tucked into a leafy Charlotte neighborhood, balances tradition ('over 165 years of it') with a forward-leaning emphasis on health professions and business majors.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Queens University of Charlotte is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 56-62% (sources vary slightly). Of the 5,142 applicants in a recent cycle, 2,906 were admitted, and 1,225 enrolled. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1160-1340 on the SAT or 20-27 on the ACT, though only 13% of accepted students submitted SAT scores. The university emphasizes flexibility, accepting alternatives like the TEAS exam (minimum score of 65) for nursing applicants. The regular decision deadline is March 13, but rolling admissions continue afterward. Notably, 48% of freshmen receive merit aid, averaging $35,837—a significant draw for a private institution.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Queens offers 41 majors and 56 minors, with a strong tilt toward health professions (nursing, exercise science) and business—the two most popular academic tracks. The university prides itself on small classes and faculty-student collaboration, including undergraduate research opportunities across disciplines. Creative writing and graphic design programs earn particular praise from students. The curriculum blends liberal arts foundations with career-ready skills, and the 36 graduate programs (including an MBA and nursing degrees) create pathways for advanced study. One alum notes the walkable campus is 'safe and beautiful,' with proximity to Charlotte’s dining and cultural scene adding practical appeal.
Life at Queens revolves around a tight-knit, tradition-rich community—think 'no stale traditions,' per the university’s own tagline. 66% of students live on campus, many in the historic, tree-lined dorms, while 34% commute. The university fosters engagement through dynamic student organizations, leadership programs, and events like ROAR (orientation that 'begins your Queens experience'). The vibe is serene but active, with the campus’s green spaces contributing to a 'calming baseline energy.' Sports (NCAA Division I) and intramurals add to the mix, though the social scene leans more toward low-key hangouts than raucous parties. Charlotte’s restaurants and cultural spots are a short walk away.
Queens delivers strong graduation rates for its size: 60% of students finish in four years (top 25% nationally), and 64% graduate within six years. Career outcomes are a bright spot: 96% of employed 2025 graduates landed jobs within six months, and 95% felt prepared for their careers. The median earnings one year post-graduation are $36,427, aligning with regional averages for liberal arts graduates. These numbers reflect Queens’ emphasis on practical skills and internships, particularly in health and business fields. The university’s location in Charlotte—a banking and healthcare hub—likely boosts job placement.
Tuition at Queens is steep but offset by generous aid. The sticker price for undergrads (tuition + fees + living expenses) isn’t explicitly stated in sources, but the average net price after aid is $31,839–$32,448. A whopping 98% of first-year students receive grants or scholarships, with the average freshman award totaling $35,837. The university meets 56.94% of financial need on average, though aid packages lean heavily on merit-based awards. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families estimate costs, but note: aid can’t exceed the official Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid.. For context, Queens’ four-year graduation rate helps curb debt by reducing extra years of tuition.
Queens University of Charlotte punches above its weight by merging liberal arts intimacy with Charlotte’s professional opportunities. Its 60% four-year graduation rate is rare for a small private college, and the 96% job-placement rate underscores a pragmatic edge. The campus—leafy, historic, and walkable—offers a serene counterpoint to the city’s buzz, while programs like nursing and business tap directly into local industries. Unlike many Southern liberal arts schools, Queens avoids pretension: it’s accessible (56% acceptance rate) yet rigorous, with faculty who mentor undergrads in research. For students seeking a close community with a career focus, Queens is a compelling—and underrated—choice.