High Point University Debuts at #1 Most Innovative in New Category for U.S. News & World Report Rankings

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire High Point University Debuts at #1 Most Innovative in New Category for U.S. News & World Report RankingsAuthor of the article:High Point University has debuted as the #1 Most Innovative Regional University in the South in the U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges 2027 edition, which was released on Sept. 22, 2026. Dr. Keir Fogarty, associate professor of chemistry, smiled as he worked with student Jake Ankrum in a laboratory. GNWOverall, HPU earns four Top 5 rankings in its first year in a higher category, along with being named #1 in the Earnings by Major ranking factor.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountHIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Point University has debuted as the #1 Most Innovative Regional University in the South in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2027 edition. HPU advanced this year to a larger category due to continual growth in graduate degree programs. The university also debuted at #5 overall.In addition, HPU was named #1 out of all 152 schools in the category on Earnings by Major, a new ranking factor measuring what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againPrior to this year, the university was named the #1 Best Regional College in the South for 14 consecutive years and #1 Most Innovative Regional College in the South for 11 straight years. HPU grew from the Best Regional Colleges in the South category — which includes institutions that focus primarily on undergraduate education — to the Best Regional Universities in the South category for schools that offer a broader scope of undergraduate and graduate programs.Overall, HPU continues to be recognized for a strong commitment to innovation, undergraduate teaching and student success.In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, which were released today, HPU is named:#1 for Most Innovative Schools (Regional Universities in the South)#1 Earnings by Major ranking factor (Regional Universities in the South)#3 for Top Private Schools (Regional Universities in the South)#3 for Best Undergraduate Teaching (Regional Universities in the South)#5 for Overall Rank (Regional Universities in the South) Using data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Earnings by Major ranking factor evaluates graduate outcomes for employed students who received federal financial aid and whose highest degree is a bachelor’s.HPU’s top score for Earnings by Major reflects the university’s ability to equip students with life skills that make them highly successful and sought-after in the job market. Data collected by HPU, in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers standards, shows 99% of graduates from the Class of 2025 were employed or furthering their education within 180 days of graduation, 13 points higher than the national average.Nationally, HPU moved up eight spots to #17 for Best First-Year Experiences after being ranked #25 a year ago.“At High Point University, we are committed to asking every year what a graduate will need to thrive throughout their life, and then we provide it,” said Dr. Nido Qubein, president of HPU. “The fact that our graduates’ earnings reflect our commitment to instilling Premier Life Skills in students is one of our greatest achievements and the reason that families across the country continue to entrust their students to HPU.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“When I work with students at High Point University as their Innovator in Residence, I see innovation in the way HPU challenges students to think differently, to dream bigger and to imagine what’s possible when you refuse to settle for the ordinary,” said Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, who serves as HPU’s Innovator in Residence.The latest accolades come only a month after HPU earned three Top 3 rankings in The Princeton Review’s “Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition.” HPU is the only university in North Carolina to be ranked in the Top 5 nationally by The Princeton Review for Best-Run Colleges, Most Beautiful Campus and Best College Dorms.HPU received the new classification in the U.S. News & World Report rankings because of the university’s continued academic growth, including the expansion of its graduate programs and another year of record total enrollment. HPU welcomed 6,561 students this academic year, the largest total enrollment in its 102-year history.Since Qubein was named HPU’s president in 2005, the university has grown from three academic schools to 14 following the opening of the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law and the Workman School of Dental Medicine in 2024 and the David S. Congdon School of Entrepreneurship a year ago. In addition, HPU’s School of Optometry is in development.Enrollment in HPU’s graduate programs has grown by 23% since Fall 2023 to a total of 1,285 graduate students this academic year.Alex Abrams High Point University 3369517926 aabrams1@highpoint.edu Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.