HPU vs. SU

Should I go to High Point University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if HPU or SU 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. Shenandoah University comparison
High Point University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
High Point University Shenandoah University
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Overview

 HPU SU
Location High Point, NC Winchester, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 6,052 4,343
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #523
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website highpoint.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 HPU SU
Tuition (In State) $38,748 $34,614
Tuition (Out of State) $38,748 $34,614
Room & Board $18,462 $11,800
Avg Net Price $43,578 $26,400
Avg Grant Aid $18,149 $24,100
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

 HPU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,625 3,763
Admitted 12,004 2,929
Acceptance Rate 76.8% 77.8%
Enrolled % 12.2% 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/31 19/26
SAT Range 1110/1300 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 HPU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 HPU SU
Graduation Rate - 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,421 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $231 $258

Diversity

 HPU SU
% Men 6% 9%
% Women 11% 31%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 59%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 13%

Students

 HPU SU
% In-State 24% 58%
% Out-of-State 75% 42%

Campus

 HPU SU
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 SU based on total student enrollment (6,052 students vs. 4,343 students)

HPU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HPU or SU?

  • High Point University is 11.9% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($38,748.00 vs. $34,614.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.9% higher at HPU than Shenandoah University ($38,748.00 vs. $34,614.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shenandoah University than HPU ($26,400 vs. $43,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 56.5% lower than costs at High Point University ($11,800 vs. $18,462)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than High Point University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 32.8% larger than aid received High Point University ($24,100 vs. $18,149)

HPU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at High Point University (1113) is 108 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming HPU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at HPU (3.4)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than HPU (76.8%)

HPU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, HPU or SU? 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 SU and HPU.

  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $6,300 more per year than HPU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $42,000)
  • High Point University students graduate with a $2,579 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($22,421 vs. $25,000)
  • HPU graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than SU graduates. ($231 vs. $258)
  • More HPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU 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/