A version of the following article appeared in the June 1, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Programs include counseling, biblical studies and digital media; tuition and housing total under $20,000 annually
Elevation Church is starting a college in Charlotte called Elevation College. It’s affiliated with Southeastern University. (Screen grab from Elevation College website.)
by Tony Mecia
Elevation Church is getting into the higher education business.
The Matthews-based megachurch, which has 20 campuses, plans to open an offshoot this fall called Elevation College.
Carolina Public Press reports that the college will offer eight four-year bachelor’s degree programs in majors such as pastoral care and counseling, Biblical studies and digital media and design, as well as two-year associate degrees.
Elevation College will be affiliated with Southeastern University, a Christian school based in Florida that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits 130 North Carolina colleges.
The cost also appears to be attractive. The college’s website lists tuition of $8,136, housing at $6,800 and a “site fee” of $5,000, for a total of just under $20,000 a year.
The website does not say exactly where classes will be held, though it shows photos of houses. It says: “Students will live and learn in Charlotte, NC, fully immersed in the life of Elevation Church. This isn’t just a classroom-based education; it’s ministry in motion.”
It does not say how big the inaugural class will be.
There is a one-page online application that asks about their faith background and
“how you’re connected to Elevation Church, and, based on what you know, describe the church in 100 words or less.”
Elevation said it chose to partner with Southeastern University because “they already have a strong, accredited academic framework and shared our heart for raising up the next generation of leaders,” according to Carolina Public Press. The church did not answer other questions from the publication.