Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte, private institutions roughly two hours apart, announced Tuesday that they plan to merge, with more details to come in the next few months.

Although the “formal structure of the proposed merger” still needs to be finalized, Elon officials said in a university announcement that “the vision is clear: to create a stronger, more sustainable model of higher education in Charlotte that expands access, enhances opportunity, prepares a future-ready workforce and honors the storied legacies of both institutions.”

Language in the announcement suggests that Elon will absorb Queens as part of the merger.

“At the conclusion of the merger, which is anticipated in the summer of 2026, Elon will operate Queens in partnership with existing and legacy leaders,” Elon officials wrote in a news release.

Elon is the larger of the two institutions and appears to be more financially stable.

Elon enrolled more than 7,230 students last fall, according to its Common Data Set. The head count at Queens came in at 1,599 students last fall, its Common Data Set shows. Elon has an endowment valued at more than $361 million, compared to nearly $162 million at Queens, which has operated at a deficit in recent years, public financial records show.

Queens also laid off employees last year after it missed its enrollment goal by about 100 students, which it blamed on the flawed rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

Officials expect the merger, which will require regulatory approval, to be finalized next summer.