HPU vs. AU

Should I go to High Point University or Anderson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if HPU or AU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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High Point University vs. Anderson University comparison
High Point University Anderson University College 3 College 4
High Point University Anderson University
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Overview

 HPU AU
Location High Point, NC Anderson, SC
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 6,052 4,325
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #759
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website highpoint.edu andersonuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 HPU AU
Tuition (In State) $38,748 $32,710
Tuition (Out of State) $38,748 $32,710
Room & Board $18,462 $12,290
Avg Net Price $43,578 $22,222
Avg Grant Aid $18,149 $25,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 99%

Admission

 HPU AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,625 4,732
Admitted 12,004 2,499
Acceptance Rate 76.8% 52.8%
Enrolled % 12.2% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/31 22/28
SAT Range 1110/1300 1090/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2026

Academics

 HPU AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 HPU AU
Graduation Rate - 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $37,500
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,421 $26,862
Median Loan Payment $231 $277

Diversity

 HPU AU
% Men 6% 9%
% Women 11% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 5% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 HPU AU
% In-State 24% 68%
% Out-of-State 75% 31%

Campus

 HPU AU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • High Point University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (6,052 students vs. 4,325 students)

HPU vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HPU or AU?

  • High Point University is 18.5% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($38,748.00 vs. $32,710.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.5% higher at HPU than Anderson University ($38,748.00 vs. $32,710.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than HPU ($22,222 vs. $43,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 50.2% lower than costs at High Point University ($12,290 vs. $18,462)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than High Point University (99% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 41% larger than aid received High Point University ($25,586 vs. $18,149)

HPU vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HPU or AU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AU or HPU .

  • The average SAT score at High Point University (1113) is 35 points higher than at AU (1078)
  • Incoming HPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at AU (24)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at HPU (3.4)
  • HPU has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than AU (52.8%)

HPU vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, HPU or AU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between AU and HPU.

  • Graduates from High Point University earn on average $4,500 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,500)
  • High Point University students graduate with a $4,441 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($22,421 vs. $26,862)
  • HPU graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($231 vs. $277)
  • More HPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/