Look, let's just be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram looking at college tours, you’ve probably seen High Point University (HPU). It’s the place with the steakhouse, the movie theater, the ice cream truck, and the pristine fountains. People call it a "country club" university. Some say it with a sneer; others say it with envy. But when you start looking at tuition at High Point University, the conversation usually takes a hard turn toward one question: Is it actually worth that price tag?
The "sticker price" is enough to make any parent's coffee go down the wrong way. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the comprehensive fee—which includes tuition, fees, a Tier 1 room, and a meal plan—sits right around $69,344.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet.
Honestly, the way HPU structures its costs is different from your average state school or even most private liberal arts colleges. It’s basically an all-inclusive model. You’ve got to peel back the layers to see what that money actually covers because, surprisingly, some of the stuff you'd normally pay extra for is "free" here. Sorta.
The "Everything Included" Myth vs. Reality
Most colleges hit you with "death by a thousand cuts." You pay tuition. Then a lab fee. Then a technology fee. Then you realize you have to pay $10 every time you want to wash a load of socks.
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HPU does things differently. Their comprehensive fee covers a lot of the "extras" that drive students crazy elsewhere. We're talking about:
- Laundry. No quarters, no apps, just free machines.
- Academic Tutoring. At many schools, high-level tutoring is a private expense. Here, it’s built-in.
- Career Coaching. You get a Success Coach the moment you step on campus.
- Printing. No more paying 10 cents a page in the library.
But let’s talk about the big one: the food.
HPU has this famous steakhouse called 1924 Prime. It’s part of the "Learning Lab" environment. Students get to eat a three-course meal there once a week as part of their meal plan. The catch? You have to dress up and follow etiquette rules. It sounds fancy—and it is—but the university's logic is that they are training you how to close a business deal over dinner. Whether you think that’s genius or overkill depends on your perspective, but it’s definitely included in that $69k.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Numbers
If you’re a freshman coming in for the Fall 2025 semester, here is the basic math for a standard Tier 1 setup:
- Tuition and Fees: Roughly $49,146.
- Room and Board (Tier 1): Around $20,197.
- The "Hidden" Dining Tax: North Carolina makes the school charge a state dining tax (about $704), which is a bummer but unavoidable.
Total it up, and you’re looking at about $70,000 before any financial aid kicks in.
The Housing Tier Trap
Here is where it gets tricky. Not all dorms are created equal.
If you want to live in the "standard" housing (Tier 1), you’re at the base price. But HPU is famous for its luxury housing. If you want a single room in the R.G. Wanek Center or a spot in the new Panther Commons, you could easily be looking at an additional $5,000 to $10,000 per year on top of the base price.
I’ve talked to parents who didn't realize their student "upgraded" their housing selection until the bill hit. It’s vital to check those tiers. Tier 1 housing includes spots like Belk, McEwen, and North Hall. They’re nice! But they aren't the "penthouse" style suites you see in the promotional videos.
Does Anyone Actually Pay Full Price?
Almost nobody. Well, that’s an exaggeration, but about 94% of students receive some form of financial aid.
HPU is aggressive with merit scholarships. When you apply, you’re automatically considered for most of them. These can range from $5,000 to $20,000 per year. If you’ve got a solid GPA and a good track record in high school, that "sticker price" of $70k might drop to $50k or $45k pretty quickly.
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Then there are the "Fellows" programs. If you get into the Business Fellows, Communication Fellows, or any of the other nine niche programs, you usually get an extra scholarship—typically around $3,000—plus access to special travel opportunities.
Let's Talk FAFSA
You still have to do the paperwork. Even though HPU is private and expensive, they use the FAFSA to determine "need-based" grants. If your family’s income falls into certain brackets, the university might throw in institutional grants that you don't have to pay back.
The "ROI" Argument: Is it a Luxury or an Investment?
Dr. Nido Qubein, the university's president, is a polarizing figure for some, but he’s a marketing genius. His whole philosophy is that the environment reflects the expectations. If you live in a beautiful place, you'll perform at a higher level.
HPU invests heavily in what they call the "Life Skills" curriculum. They have "In-Residence" experts—real people like Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founder) or Marc Randolph (Netflix co-founder)—who actually come to campus and talk to students.
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Critics say you’re paying for "fluff."
Supporters say you’re paying for a "network."
The truth is likely somewhere in the middle. If you are a student who is going to sit in your room and play video games all day, tuition at High Point University is a massive waste of money. You can do that at a community college for a fraction of the price. But if you are the type to go to every guest speaker event, use the Success Coach, and land an internship through the executive-in-residence program, the math starts to make more sense.
Specific Costs You Might Forget
- Overload Fees: If you take more than 18 credits a semester, they’ll charge you over $1,000 per extra credit hour. Don't do that unless you have to.
- Health Insurance: If you don't have your own, you’ll be charged for the student plan. It’s several thousand dollars. Always waive this if you’re still on your parents' insurance.
- International Fees: F-1 Visa holders have an extra $1,500 fee.
What to Do Right Now
If you are seriously considering HPU, don't just look at the website and gasp. You need to do three specific things:
- Use the Net Price Calculator. HPU has a decent one on their site. It’s not perfect, but it’ll give you a much better "real" number than the $70k sticker price.
- Schedule a Visit. Honestly, you can’t tell if the "vibe" is worth the cost until you stand on the Promenade. Some people find it inspiring; others find it "too much." You’ll know within ten minutes which camp you fall into.
- Compare "Total Cost of Attendance" (COA). When you look at other schools, make sure you're adding in the laundry, the parking (which is free at HPU), the gym fees, and the tutoring. At a big state school, those can add $2,000-$3,000 a year that isn't in the initial quote.
Ultimately, HPU is a specific choice for a specific kind of student. It’s expensive, yes. But for the family that wants a high-touch, high-resource environment where the "extras" are baked into the price, it remains one of the most unique options in American higher education. Just make sure you read the fine print on those housing tiers before you sign on the dotted line.