Queens University of Charlotte Welcomes Largest Incoming Class

Queens University’s Class of 2027 has shattered a 166-year-old record by becoming the largest and most academically prepared class in the university’s history — a testament to Queens’ ascending position among private universities in the region.

Queens will welcome 414 eager new first-time, first-year students, an increase of 36% since last year. In addition, the university will welcome 106 new transfer students and 121 new graduate students to campus.

“We are excited to welcome this diverse class of future leaders to our campus,” said Adrienne Amador Oddi, vice president of strategic enrollment and communications at Queens University. “They represent a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experiences, and identities which will continue to shape Queens into an inclusive and vibrant community while enriching the lives of those around us.”

The surge in enrollment is a result of Queens’ commitment to strengthening its recruitment efforts, developing new academic programs, launching a bold new brand, and establishing solid relationships with business leaders and educational partners in the community and across the country. Before arriving to Queens, incoming students made tremendous efforts to prepare academically. The newest Royals finished high school strong and are entering Queens with an average GPA of 3.5.  

Queens has seen a 39% increase in students from Mecklenburg County, due to its increased engagement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Strategic community partnerships with industry leaders like Lowe’s and Ally Financial have also helped to provide scholarship and internship opportunities, through the Charlotte Talent Initiative, to highly talented and motivated students who are most in need in the Queen City.

In addition, the university’s community partnership with Atrium Health has strengthened the overall student experience by improving health and wellness initiatives on the Queens campus, including behavioral health and sports medicine.

In recent years, Queens has made significant strides in its ongoing efforts to support underrepresented students. This year’s incoming class includes:

• 37% of students that identify as domestic students of color
• 33% of first-generation students
• 28% of Pell-grant eligible students, a federally funded resource for low-income students

As Queens enters its second year as an NCAA Division I competitor in the ASUN Conference, its profile continues to rise, both nationally and internationally. This year:

• Students enrolled from across 34 states, including a 40% increase in students from the states in the ASUN Conference
• International students enrolled from 23 countries, representing 10% of the incoming class

The induction of its largest class is an encouraging sign of growth for both Queens and the city of Charlotte. As the campus climate returns to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, Queens is creating more connections between its students and the Queen City by creating opportunities to attend professional sporting and cultural events, coordinated by Student Engagement.

The allure of Charlotte remains strong for graduates, as about 40% of Queens students remain in the Charlotte metro area after graduation. Queens’ new class of Royals will find academic and career success throughout their college years and beyond. Queens’ most recent survey of graduates showed that 96% are employed, in graduate school, completing an internship or working for a service organization within 6 months of graduation.

“We remain committed to providing a transformative experience for our students,” said President Dan Lugo. “The strategic investments we’ve made over the years have allowed us to pursue excellence in all we do as we empower tomorrow’s dynamic and vibrant leaders.”