HPU maintains high ranks in college survey

Guy Lucas, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·3 min read

Sep. 19—HIGH POINT — Despite a change in how schools were measured by U.S. News and World Report for its 2024 "Best Colleges" rankings, which were released Monday, High Point University again earned three No. 1 rankings.

The magazine changed its methodology for its main rankings, placing a greater emphasis on students' social mobility and financial outcomes, which it called the most significant methodological change since it began issuing college rankings. More than 50% of an institution's rank now is based on varying measures related to enrolling and graduating students from diverse backgrounds with manageable debt and success in getting a good-paying job.

In addition, five factors were removed: class size, faculty with terminal degrees, alumni giving, students' high school class standing and the proportion of graduates who get federal loans.

The changes helped a number of public colleges rise in the rankings and hurt some private schools, including Wake Forest University, which dropped from a tie at No. 29 last year to a tie at No. 47.

The changes didn't alter HPU's overall standing, perhaps in part because HPU has a high job-placement rate and good financial outcomes. It was listed as the No. 1 Best Regional College in the South for the 12th consecutive year.

Schools in the Best Regional Colleges category focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. Other schools topping this category were Florida Polytechnic University at No. 2, and Beacon College, Flagler College and Wesleyan College tied for No. 3.

HPU also was ranked No. 1 in Most Innovative Schools. The ranking is based on the number of nominations made in a survey of college presidents, provosts and admissions deans, who were asked which colleges were making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities. This is the ninth year in a row HPU has held that ranking.

HPU also was ranked No. 1 for undergraduate teaching among the Best Regional Colleges in the South. The ranking is based on nominations by college presidents, provosts and admissions deans, who were asked to name schools in their category that have strength in undergraduate teaching.

Because HPU's tuition is higher than other schools that are highly ranked in Best Regional Colleges in the South, it was ranked 19th for Best Value among Best Regional Colleges in the South. The average cost after all grants in aid was listed as $39,940.

That compares to $15,055 at College of the Ozarks, ranked the seventh best in the region but the No. 1 value in the region.

In addition, HPU was ranked No. 27 for Best First-Year Experiences. For this ranking, the magazine said it invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 15 institutions "with stellar examples of first-year experiences."

HPU President Nido Qubein said the rankings underscore the caliber of the faculty and the university's "commitment to providing students with an extraordinary education."

"We remain laser-focused on ensuring our students are equipped with the premier life skills that will prepare them to achieve lifelong success," he said.