High Point University Cost: How Its Price Compares With Other U.S. Private Colleges

High Point University cost is an important consideration for students comparing private colleges in the United States. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the university lists $50,628 in undergraduate tuition and general fees, while its estimated total cost of attendance reaches $80,686. This includes housing, meals, and other educational expenses.

How does this price compare with other private universities? High Point University has lower published tuition and fees than Wake Forest University, but its total estimated attendance cost is higher than Elon University's. It also exceeds the latest national average for private nonprofit four-year colleges. These differences make it important to compare the complete annual budget rather than tuition alone.

This guide examines the 2026–2027 undergraduate costs, compares High Point University with Elon and Wake Forest, and explains how scholarships and financial aid can change the amount students actually pay. Figures were checked on November 9, 2026.

Table of Contents

• How Much Does High Point University Cost Per Year?
• High Point University Price Compared With Other Private Colleges
• High Point University vs Elon University
• High Point University vs Wake Forest
• How HPU Compares With the Average Cost of Private Colleges
• Scholarships, Financial Aid and Net Price
• How to Calculate Your Actual College Cost
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does High Point University Cost Per Year?

For full-time undergraduate students taking 12–18 credit hours per semester, High Point University publishes an annual tuition charge of $44,682 and general fees of $5,946 for 2026–2027. Together, these charges amount to $50,628 in annual tuition and fees.

However, tuition and fees are only part of the university's published price. Students who live on campus must also account for accommodation, meals and other expenses.

High Point University 2026–2027 Cost Breakdown

Expense	Annual Amount
Undergraduate tuition	$44,682
General university fees	$5,946
Base housing cost	$9,348
Additional Tier 2 housing cost	$4,890
Meals	$10,728
North Carolina dining tax	$724
Total direct costs	$76,318
Books, course materials and supplies	$1,500
Transportation	$1,600
Personal expenses	$1,200
Estimated loan fees	$68
Total indirect costs	$4,368
Estimated total cost of attendance	$80,686

Source: High Point University Office of Student Financial Planning.

The estimated $80,686 cost of attendance is based on Tier 2 housing. The additional housing amount should therefore be understood in relation to the accommodation option used for the university's estimate. Actual housing charges depend on the assigned residence and selected room arrangement.

There is a small difference between two official university figures. The detailed financial planning table lists $80,686, while the admissions tuition page reports $80,687. This is a one-dollar discrepancy in the university's published information. Students should use their individual financial aid and billing documents to confirm their actual costs.

The university also notes that additional academic or personal expenses may apply. International students holding an F-1 visa have an additional $1,500 annual university fee for 2026–2027. Courses involving laboratory work, equipment or special materials may also carry additional charges.

For a detailed explanation of individual charges, see our High Point University tuition and fees breakdown for 2026–2027.

High Point University Price Compared With Other Private Colleges

The best way to evaluate a private university cost is to compare tuition, fees, accommodation, food and estimated personal expenses. Looking at tuition alone can produce a misleading picture of the total financial commitment.

The following comparison uses official 2026–2027 undergraduate figures published by the universities and the College Board.

Institution	Annual Tuition and Fees	Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
High Point University	$50,628	$80,686
Elon University	$51,368	$73,403
Wake Forest University	$73,170	$98,730
Private nonprofit four-year college average	$46,350	$67,610

Note: All figures are in US dollars. The HPU estimate uses Tier 2 housing. Elon University's figure is for newly admitted undergraduates. Wake Forest's published estimate is for students living on or off campus. The national average is a sector-wide College Board estimate, not the price of a particular institution. Differences in housing and meal-plan assumptions should be considered when comparing individual budgets.

Based on these published figures, High Point University's tuition and fees are $4,278 above the national private nonprofit four-year average. Its estimated total cost of attendance is $13,076 higher than the national average budget.

These figures place HPU above the average private college price for 2026–2027. However, its position changes when compared with individual universities. It is less expensive than Wake Forest on the published total budget but more expensive than Elon.

High Point University vs Elon University

High Point University and Elon University are both private universities in North Carolina. They are useful comparisons for students deciding between colleges in the same state.

For 2026–2027, Elon lists $51,368 in tuition and fees and $17,535 for food and housing for newly admitted undergraduate students. Its total estimated financial aid cost of attendance is $73,403.

High Point University lists $50,628 in tuition and fees and a total estimated cost of attendance of $80,686.

This creates an interesting difference. HPU's tuition and fees are $740 lower than Elon's, but its overall estimated annual attendance cost is $7,283 higher.

Why Is the Difference So Large?

Housing and food account for much of the difference. High Point University's detailed budget includes housing, an additional Tier 2 housing amount, meals and North Carolina dining tax. These items total $25,690.

Elon's newly admitted student budget lists $17,535 for food and housing. That is $8,155 below HPU's corresponding housing and dining estimate.

Other indirect expenses are also estimated differently by the institutions. For this reason, families should examine the complete expense categories rather than treating the overall difference as a direct measure of tuition value.

For a student whose primary concern is the annual total budget, Elon currently has the lower published figure. However, individual housing choices, financial aid and academic programs can affect the final decision.

Read the official Elon University tuition and financial aid information for the complete cost schedule.

High Point University vs Wake Forest

Wake Forest University is another private institution in North Carolina. Its published undergraduate prices are substantially higher than those of High Point University for 2026–2027.

Wake Forest reports undergraduate tuition of $71,894 and standard fees of $1,276. This brings tuition and fees to $73,170. Its estimated total cost of attendance for students living on or off campus is $98,730.

By comparison, High Point University's tuition and fees total $50,628, with an estimated annual cost of attendance of $80,686.

The difference is $22,542 in tuition and fees and $18,044 in estimated total attendance costs. Therefore, High Point University has a lower published undergraduate price than Wake Forest in both categories.

Wake Forest's budget also includes estimated housing, food, books, transportation and personal expenses. New students may have an additional $380 orientation fee, and students should review the university's other possible expenses before making a final comparison.

For current details, consult Wake Forest University's official undergraduate cost of attendance page.

How HPU Compares With the Average Cost of Private Colleges

The College Board's 2026 Trends in College Pricing report provides a useful national reference for understanding private college tuition and total expenses.

For 2026–2027, the average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year institutions are $46,350. The average annual student budget, including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation and other expenses, is $67,610.

High Point University's published figures are higher in both categories:

• Tuition and fees are approximately 9.2% above the national average.
• Total estimated attendance costs are approximately 19.3% above the national average.

This comparison shows that High Point University is a relatively expensive option when measured against the average cost of private colleges. Its total price also reflects the accommodation and meal arrangements included in the published estimate.

It is worth remembering that the national figures represent an average across private nonprofit four-year institutions. Some colleges charge much more, while others are less expensive. Private university cost also varies with location, housing, financial aid and institutional pricing policies.

Another important distinction is that these are published prices before individual financial aid is considered. They do not represent the amount every student ultimately pays.

Source: College Board Trends in College Pricing: 2026 report.

Scholarships, Financial Aid and Net Price

The published High Point University price is not necessarily the amount an admitted student will pay. Scholarships, grants and other financial assistance can reduce the financial burden for eligible students.

High Point University's admissions page reports an average financial aid and scholarship package of more than $23,000 for incoming freshmen. The same page presents an estimated direct educational investment of $48,429 after including its average aid package.

This figure is an institutional average-based illustration. It is not a guaranteed scholarship amount or a final price offered to every student. A student's academic qualifications, financial need, award conditions and eligibility determine the assistance available.

Understanding Net Price

Net price is the amount a student is expected to pay after eligible grants and scholarships are deducted from the cost of attendance.

The basic calculation is:

Net Price = Total Cost of Attendance − Grants and Scholarships

For example, suppose a student receives $20,000 in grants and scholarships against a hypothetical annual attendance budget of $80,686. The resulting estimated net price would be $60,686.

This is only an illustration, not an actual High Point University financial aid offer. The amount a student receives must be confirmed through the university's official financial aid process.

Federal student loans should not be treated as discounts. They provide funds that must generally be repaid, whereas grants and scholarships reduce the cost without requiring repayment.

The Federal Student Aid financial aid dictionary explains the distinction between cost of attendance and net price.

How to Explore Financial Assistance at HPU

Students considering High Point University should take the following steps:

1. Check merit scholarships. Review the academic qualifications, award amounts and renewal requirements for available scholarship programs.
2. Submit the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to assess eligibility for federal and institutional need-based financial assistance.
3. Review the financial aid offer. Separate grants and scholarships from loans and work-study opportunities.
4. Confirm housing expenses. Check the residence hall and meal plan that will apply to your enrollment.
5. Use the net price estimate. Compare your expected expenses after grants and scholarships with those of other universities.

HPU's federal school code is 002933. Students can find current application information and financial assistance details on the official High Point University tuition and fees page.

How to Calculate Your Actual College Cost

When comparing the cost of attending private universities, the most useful figure is the final amount a student and family will need to finance. A higher sticker price does not always mean a higher net price after institutional aid.

Before accepting an admission offer, compare the following items for every university:

• Annual tuition and compulsory fees.
• Housing and meal-plan charges.
• Scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid.
• Renewal conditions for scholarships over subsequent years.
• Estimated books, transportation and personal expenses.
• Health insurance, course fees and other additional charges.
• The amount that must be paid from savings or covered through borrowing.

Students should also consider the likely cost over the full degree rather than focusing entirely on the first academic year. Tuition, accommodation and other expenses can change, and scholarship renewal conditions may affect later years.

For international applicants comparing High Point University in the USA with other American private colleges, the F-1 student fee, travel costs, insurance and personal living expenses should also be included in the financial plan.

Ask each university for a written explanation of its financial aid offer. Using the same expense categories for each institution makes the comparison more meaningful.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does High Point University cost per year?

For 2026–2027, full-time undergraduate tuition and general fees are $50,628. The detailed estimated total cost of attendance is $80,686, including Tier 2 housing, meals and estimated indirect expenses.

2. Is High Point University more expensive than Elon University?

High Point University's estimated 2026–2027 total cost of attendance is $80,686, compared with $73,403 for newly admitted undergraduate students at Elon. HPU has slightly lower tuition and fees, but the complete annual budget is higher.

3. Is High Point University cheaper than Wake Forest?

Yes, based on the published 2026–2027 undergraduate estimates. High Point University's total attendance budget is $80,686, compared with $98,730 at Wake Forest University.

4. Does High Point University tuition include room and board?

No. The $44,682 annual undergraduate tuition charge is separate from general fees, housing, meals and other expenses. These additional categories are included when calculating the total cost of attendance.

5. Can scholarships reduce the cost of attending High Point University?

Yes. Eligible students may receive merit scholarships, need-based grants and other financial assistance. The final amount depends on the student's qualifications, financial circumstances and the university's award decision.

6. Does High Point University charge international students an additional fee?

Yes. For 2026–2027, High Point University lists an additional annual fee of $1,500 for international students holding an F-1 visa. Students should also budget for travel, insurance and other personal expenses where applicable.

Conclusion

High Point University has a published undergraduate tuition and fee total of $50,628 and an estimated 2026–2027 cost of attendance of $80,686. Its annual budget is above the national average for private nonprofit four-year colleges.

Compared with other North Carolina private universities, High Point is less expensive than Wake Forest on its published total attendance budget but more expensive than Elon. The differences in housing, meals and financial aid can substantially affect the amount a student ultimately pays.

Students should compare complete financial aid offers rather than making a decision based only on tuition. Reviewing grants, scholarships, housing costs and other expenses will provide a more realistic picture of the financial commitment.

Because university prices and financial aid policies can change, prospective students should confirm the latest figures directly with High Point University before accepting an offer or making enrollment arrangements.