High Point University: Examining Its Academic Standing and Reputation

High Point University (HPU), established in 1924 in High Point, North Carolina, has undergone significant transformation and growth. Founded after citizens pledged land and funds for a new college proposed by the Methodist Protestant Church, HPU has evolved from three buildings, nine faculty members, and 120 students to a comprehensive university offering a wide array of programs to thousands of students. This article delves into various aspects of High Point University to assess its academic reputation and overall standing.

Historical Overview and Growth

The genesis of High Point University dates back to 1921 when the Methodist Protestant Church proposed a new college. The community rallied, pledging 60 acres of land and $100,000 towards its establishment. By 1924, the institution opened its doors. Despite facing financial hardships during the Great Depression, the university expanded its offerings. In 1991, it officially became High Point University, reflecting its expanded graduate programs.

Academic Programs and Recognition

High Point University provides a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Students can choose from around 50 undergraduate majors and 50 minors, along with approximately 10 postgraduate programs. The university consistently achieves high rankings among its peer institutions in the southern United States and garners accolades for teaching quality and graduate success. The university has 73 majors and 70 undergraduate minors, 13 pre-professional programs and 20+ graduate programs to choose from.

Campus Environment and Resources

The university campus spans 520 acres in a suburban setting. It features 19 residential buildings and 13 on-campus dining locations. The campus is completely wireless, and students are able to check out complimentary iPads or Kindles from the Campus Concierge. Students may also schedule academic tutoring, reserve a bicycle, and receive complimentary tickets to all athletic events, concerts, speakers and films. HPU is committed to surrounding students with an environment that motivates and inspires learning.

Rankings and Accolades

High Point University has consistently earned national recognition. U.S. News & World Report ranked HPU #1 in Regional Colleges South in its 2026 Best Colleges edition. For the second consecutive year, High Point University has been named the #1 Best-Run College in the nation by The Princeton Review. HPU also earned top rankings for College Dorms, Career Services, Most Beautiful Campus and more. HPU has continued to earn national accolades. In June, HPU was named a College of Distinction for the 2025-26 academic year, marking the 15th consecutive year that the university was recognized for its strong commitment to providing students with a transformative undergraduate experience.

Read also: Job Skills for Students

Student and Alumni Perspectives

Student and alumni reviews present a mixed picture of High Point University. Many highlight the caring and helpful faculty, the beautiful campus, and the ample resources available for student success. Some students point out that the university is a "predominantly white school" and one that some feel is "only for the rich kids.". Nevertheless, "while there are definitely students who have got loads of money coming into the school, there are still plenty of down to earth individuals who just want the best education they can get." Moreover, students stress "most everyone is very inclusive" regardless of your background. Reviewed: 1/16/2024 Degree: Communications Graduation Year: 2008 "I received a wonderful education at HPU and had a great experience. My professors were very caring and helped me find multiple internships as a student, along with job opportunities when I was a senior. I landed my first job in my field before I graduated and have continually grown my career since then. I don't know where I'd be without HPU. It was like a window to the world for me. I met so many well-known people on campus (Thomas Friedman, Mitch Albom, Chris Gardner, the real-life Rudy and many others came to campus during my time as a student). I also believe there are very few campuses that actually care about students to the degree HPU does. I was a first generation college student with no connections, but I always mattered to my professors and campus leaders. I highly recommend HPU. It's easy to notice how beautiful it is at first, but when you understand the beauty reflects the level of attention and care that the faculty and staff provides to students, you appreciate it." Reviewed: 8/8/2023 Degree: Interior Design Graduation Year: 2022 "I am so thankful for my time at HPU! I knew in high school that I wanted to study Interior Design and was very impressed with the rigor of the I.D. program. My professors were all so helpful, and most importantly, available. There is an incredible about of resources at HPU to help each student succeed. From Dr Qubein (our president), to the professors, dining staff, maintenance crew and security, the staff truly care about the students. The campus is absolutely beautiful, the dorms are gorgeous and there are countless places to study. Tons of great dining options, Greek life, plenty of club sports and other athletics and hands on learning experiences. I had two internships during my time there and was offered two jobs prior to graduating. I walked into my new job feeling confident, prepared, educated and experienced!" Reviewed: 7/2/2019 Degree: Business Administration Graduation Year: 2019 "The school is pristine, and the education is relatively decent, but the administration is a HUGE issue. The campus itself is very nice, besides the fact that school built their buildings too quick and cut a few corners. There are a few hiccups here and there within the dorms, but not many. The education aspect of the school is really good. The class sizes are small, allowing for class discussions and personal relationships with the professors in order to create a classroom environment where one can excel versus get lost in a sea of a few hundred students. I would highly recommend a few clubs in the business program such as the Entrepreneurship club and the Sales club. Both headed by amazing professors and great friends of mine. Lastly, the administration. This is my only negative of the school, but a huge one. The administration does not care for the student even though they claim the student is their top priority. The administration uses bully tactics in order to get the results they want. They are deceitful, don't follow their own student handbook, and do what suits them best. Unless there is a huge change in staff, if you want a real college experience go somewhere else. By real college experience I mean, a rigorous academic program while being able to enjoy the weekend and night life. You are unable to have more than one guest in you residence, and if you have more (doesn't matter if you are watching a movie) if the school catches you, you're fined $100 and you have a strike against you. Ultimately, it makes me think of high school with an overbearing security and administration that not only feel they can do as they please because it was a private university, they will do as they please. They will, with no evidence, no process, no hearing of any sort find you guilty of whatever they deem they should charge you with. You are guilty before proven innocent in this school and security shuts down any attempt at having fun. Would not recommend. Also check out dateline "The Crossing." It's about how the school covered up a murder off campus involving the school president's son. Nothing happened to the son or his fraternity brothers, or the school. Just sketchy and a lot of covering up, on more occasions than just the dateline episode." Reviewed: 5/22/2017 Degree: Business Graduation Year: 2006 "The campus is beautiful, and the education is top-notch. I feel like I'm hurting the value of my degree, but I must tell the truth about the rest. It is very expensive. Scholarship opportunities within the university are extremely limited. I took my daughter there to tour, and the most prevalent theme was we want your money in every way that we can get it. Also, it is local to us, and many of our friends go there on a regular basis to fix or rebuild things that have been destroyed by all of the partying. It now has a local reputation for major drug problems funded by spoiled, rich kids. As long as the money flows, the administration doesn't seem to mind, and they try to keep it hidden (unsuccessfully). It has changed since I received my degree. The campus is bigger and better than ever, but I would not choose it now for the reasons mentioned above. I'm thankful my daughter chose not to go there for many reasons." Reviewed: 5/22/2017 Degree: MBA Graduation Year: 2013 "Great teachers. I feel like it was money well spent." Reviewed: 10/5/2015 Degree: International Business Graduation Year: 2015 "It was an awesome experience if you take advantage of all that they have to offer! Small classrooms help you to build personal relationships with your professors." International business grad 2015 Reviewed: 5/29/2015 Degree: International Business Graduation Year: 2015 "It was an awesome experience and I would recommend it to anybody and everybody." Reviewed: 9/4/2013 Degree: Public Relations Graduation Year: 2015 "High Point University is great! They really care about their students' success! The faculty and staff are always willing to help out and give students advice on their work!" Reviewed: 8/15/2013 Degree: Public Administration Graduation Year: 2009 "Pros: I graduated from a prestige school. HPU has a lots of history in NC and the surrounding area. The school has a beautiful campus and a wonderful faculty and staff. I am a proud graduate of HPU. However unfortunate, due to the decline and budget cuts in government both local and state, it has been very difficult to obtain a job in the field of public administration." Reviewed: 5/18/2013 Degree: Non-Profit Management Graduation Year: 2011 "In additional to its exceptionally beautiful campus and state of the art technology, High Point University offers an excellent graduate program. Class room sizes are small (approx 15 max) and student to professor interaction is high. Professors are available and very knowledgeable about their particular subject matter. Each course curriculum is rigorous and intense, but geared towards a good grasp of the subject matter. Networking among students is encouraged and made easy because once enrolled, student within the same program follow the same course curricula for the two-three year duration of the program. The only con would be involvement of professors in ensuring student get good job placement after graduation." Reviewed: 3/5/2013 Degree: Education Graduation Year: 2014 "Our graduate program is a special 5 year fast track to earn our masters in Elementary Education. We were able to choose which track we wanted (STEM or Literacy). This is a very unique program that allows us to take graduate courses during our senior year of college, and then we have summer school and one normal year of grad school before I graduate in my Masters. I think this is a very good opportunity, and a good program to be in right now so I can come out with a masters education from a great school that is way ahead in the STEM Education compared to other schools around the country."

Focus on Life Skills and Experiential Learning

High Point University emphasizes life skills development and experiential learning. Innovative educational initiatives like the president's First-Year Seminar on Life Skills, a required course for all freshmen, ensure students grow not only in specific academic areas of expertise but also develop competencies in communication, networking, coachability, fiscal literacy and service. HPU offers a broad spectrum of academic coursework, all complemented by experiential learning programs that include internships, undergraduate research, global education and service learning. By focusing holistically on the student's transformational education journey, HPU attracts students from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries.

Campus Life and Activities

Opportunities for student engagement are abundant at High Point University. With 80% of students coming from out-of-state and 95% living on-campus, the student body has a distinct sense of family. There are also quotations that provide ideas for reflection. Sculptures of significant historical figures inspire students to pursue their goals. The Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens bring holistic learning to life throughout HPU's 500-acre classroom. High Point University has nearly 100 clubs and organizations providing students diverse opportunities to get involved on campus! From volunteering in the local community, gaining a leadership position in the Student Government Association, joining a Greek life organization or playing intramural or club sports, every student can find a way to make High Point University their home!

Facilities and Resources

High Point University is committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities across disciplines that meet the needs of extraordinary students. Cottrell Hall, home to the Flanagan Center for Student Success, is a 40,000 square-foot facility that is the central hub of activity for students preparing for job interviews, seeking career development opportunities and looking for ways to diversify their career skills. The state-of-the-art 220,000 square-foot Congdon Hall features a pharmacology research lab, a gross anatomy lab, a human biomechanics and physiology lab and more than a dozen simulation labs and spaces where real-world scenarios can come to life, including an operating room, an emergency room, a labor and delivery room, eight exam rooms, a pharmacy retail setting and a pharmacy hospital setting. The Nido R. Qubein School of Communication features a high-definition TV studio, an audio recording studio, a screening theater, editing labs, a student-operated radio station, a nationally-cited survey and research center, a recently updated game design and Esports arena, and various computer labs. The school's Board of Advisors includes leaders in radio, television, newspaper and magazine companies across the nation. HPU's School of Art and Design emphasizes the importance of hands-on skills combined with technological proficiency in profession-specific software. Students studying in the School of Art and Design have access to cutting-edge equipment including a technology lab and several design-specific computer labs. The 31,000 square-foot, LEED-Certified Stout School of Education building houses the psychology department and the NCATE-accredited education school. It is equipped with simulated classrooms and clinical labs where psychology majors conduct hands-on testing and experiments. The Plato S. Wilson School of Commerce houses the Tilley Trading Room, which includes a live stock ticker and allows students to receive real-world, practical learning opportunities. The space also includes teaching and research technology, such as financial databases, investment software, and more.

Location and Community Engagement

High Point University is located in the city of High Point. Together, the cities of High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem form the Piedmont Triad, a metropolitan area with a population of 1.6 million. High Point University is located within 25 minutes of the Piedmont Triad International Airport. The Piedmont Triad is a dynamic market that is poised for tremendous growth. Contributing factors are its temperate climate, centralized location affording quick access to major metros, relatively low population density, high quality of life, high education index, diversity and inclusion, and the development of markets to leverage its manufacturing experience. Downtown High Point revitalization efforts, led by HPU's own President Nido Qubein, are centered on the city's newly finished baseball stadium, BB&T Point, home to the High Point Rockers. The stadium is attracting new energy to downtown High Point, and so are plans for an events center, children's museum and urban park. Already, the city enjoys a vibrant Main Street area with shops, restaurants and gathering places, such as the Downtown Train Depot or The Pit Murals. These features, combined with the twice-yearly bustling furniture market and the new baseball stadium, are attracting new people who want to live in High Point's hub of excitement. High Point University is fortunate to be located in the furniture capital of the world, the city of High Point. HPU students biannually assist High Point Market exhibitors to prepare for the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world. With more than 75,000 attendees and 2,000 exhibitors, the biannual event attracts industry leaders from across the globe and provides students with experiential learning opportunities. While supporting an international trade show in the heart of downtown High Point, HPU students gain hands-on experience that helps them hone their professional skills through experiential learning. Numerous global companies have a large presence here including Ashley Furniture, Bank of America, BB&T, Daimler Buses of North America, DT, Ernst & Young, FedEx, HanesBrands, Honda Aircraft Company, KPMG, Lincoln Financial Group, Old Dominion Freight Lines, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, PwC, Qorvo, and Volvo. In addition to internships, the student experience is enhanced through business relationships with activities such as mentoring sessions, speaker events, sales role-plays, experiential learning assignments, business community projects, and a variety of career-related events.

Admission and Financial Aid

High Point University is an exclusive member of the Common application, which helps facilitate the application process for you. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is available to help you throughout the entire application and decision process. If you have any questions about the university or application, we encourage you to reach out. Complete and submit your application for admission and all required supporting documents online at www.commonapp.org/school/high-point-university. Ask your guidance or college counselor to send your official high school transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or upload it to the Common App. Ask your guidance or college counselor to complete and submit the Common App's School Report Form. Provide one letter of recommendation. High Point University is test-optional. If you would like to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship Program or Honors Scholar Program, an SAT or ACT score is required. When completing the test, request that the official results of the SAT or ACT be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. High Point University's SAT code is 5293; the ACT code is 3108. Over 85% of enrolled students each year apply using one of the two Early Decision or Early Action November application plans. The Office of Student Financial Planning works diligently to assist students in their pursuit of postsecondary education at High Point University. Although the financial aid process can be complex, HPU's Financial Planning staff are well trained and highly qualified to make students' experiences positive and rewarding. Interested students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically via www.fafsa.ed.gov. The earliest that students may begin filing the FAFSA is October 1 of the senior year prior to entrance to HPU. The HPU school code is 002933. The results from filing the FAFSA will be electronically transmitted to HPU for review. This form will produce an expected family contribution based on the family's financial data and will determine students' eligibility for … The average net price for federal loan recipients is $37,285. The four-year graduation rate is 67%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $50,955.

Student Life and Extracurricular Activities

There's plenty of fun to be had when High Point students step away from their studies. The "Campus Activities Team puts on several events throughout the week and weekends" including "Food T ruck Wednesdays, [which] is amazing." Undergrads can also participate in numerous organizations ranging from investment club and the studio art club to Genesis Gospel Choir and "Wishmakers Club, [a group] devoted to earning money to grant wishes for children with cancer." And prospective students with a hankering for outdoor adventure will be delighted to learn that High Point sponsors an "annual whitewater rafting and zipline trip in the fall [and an] annual ski trip in the spring." You can also rent bikes (free of charge!) from the rec center or indulge in the school's ice-skating rink, another very popular activity. Additionally, the university maintains "very nice gym facilities" and has "lots of club and intramural sports" including volleyball and rowing.

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

tags: #is #High #Point #University #a #good