HPU vs. NC State

Should I go to High Point University or North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if HPU or NC State 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. North Carolina State University at Raleigh comparison
High Point University North Carolina State University at Raleigh College 3 College 4
High Point University North Carolina State University at Raleigh
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Overview

 HPU NC State
Location High Point, NC Raleigh, NC
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 6,052 37,323
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #118
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website highpoint.edu ncsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 HPU NC State
Tuition (In State) $38,748 $6,535
Tuition (Out of State) $38,748 $29,407
Room & Board $18,462 $13,719
Avg Net Price $43,578 $14,860
Avg Grant Aid $18,149 $11,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 50%

Admission

 HPU NC State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,625 40,049
Admitted 12,004 15,958
Acceptance Rate 76.8% 39.8%
Enrolled % 12.2% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.83
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/31 28/32
SAT Range 1110/1300 1300/1460
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 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 HPU NC State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (22%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

 HPU NC State
Graduation Rate - 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $57,200
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,421 $20,782
Median Loan Payment $231 $214

Diversity

 HPU NC State
% Men 6% 14%
% Women 11% 13%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 74%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 HPU NC State
% In-State 24% 85%
% Out-of-State 75% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than than HPU based on total student enrollment (37,323 students vs. 6,052 students)

HPU vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HPU or NC State?

  • High Point University is 492.9% more expensive to attend than NC State for in-state tuition ($38,748.00 vs. $6,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.8% higher at HPU than North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($38,748.00 vs. $29,407.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than HPU ($14,860 vs. $43,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 34.6% lower than costs at High Point University ($13,719 vs. $18,462)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at High Point University than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (89% vs. 50%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by High Point University students is 53.7% larger than aid received North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($18,149 vs. $11,811)

HPU vs. NC State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1264) is 151 points higher than at HPU (1113)
  • Incoming NC State students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at HPU (25)
  • Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at HPU (3.4)
  • HPU has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than NC State (39.8%)

HPU vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, HPU or NC State? 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 NC State and HPU.

  • Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn on average $15,200 more per year than HPU graduates after ten years. ($57,200 vs. $42,000)
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh students graduate with a $1,639 lower median federal student loan debt than HPU graduates. ($20,782 vs. $22,421)
  • NC State graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than HPU graduates. ($214 vs. $231)
  • More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HPU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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