Welcome aboard and welcome to Charlotte
In your position, needing easy access to the University, I'd be looking in the NE quadrant but not too close to the university. Mint Hill, Midland, Harrisburg, Concord areas, maybe even Indian Trail or Matthews.
Housing near the university is affected in a bad way student tenants and some other factors. I would not buy in that area.
The drive from Fort Mill would be close to an hour in rush traffic.
I'd avoid Huntersville or anything west of town for the same reason. The I-77 corridor is under heavy construction and will become a toll road when it's over.
And, if you do wind up taking this advice you'll have easy access to ranges at
PHA and
RCWA