U.S. News & World Report Ranks HPU Graduate Schools in Top 100
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Apr 15th, 2024

U.S. News & World Report Ranks HPU Graduate Schools in Top 100

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High Point University is recognized in the Top 100 outstanding physical therapy and physician assistant programs by U.S. News & World Report. Pictured are HPU physician assistant students in a simulation lab in the Congdon School of Health Sciences.

HIGH POINT, N.C., April 15, 2024 – High Point University is recognized in the Top 100 outstanding physical therapy and physician assistant programs by U.S. News & World Report, providing more accolades for the Congdon School of Health Sciences.

HPU physical therapy students are pictured working in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab in the Congdon School of Health Sciences.
HPU physical therapy students are pictured working in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab in the Congdon School of Health Sciences.

HPU’s physical therapy doctoral degree program is ranked No. 74 nationally in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings, which were released April 9.

Physical therapists are movement experts who examine, diagnose and treat movement dysfunction. They help people impacted by disease, injury and disability, and work to prevent movement loss and promote wellness. Students in HPU’s Department of Physical Therapy have access to a variety of hands-on learning opportunities inside state-of-the-art facilities, including the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab and HPU’s Physical Therapy Pro Bono Clinic.

Physician Assistant student Michela Schempf and Dr. Michele Jedlica, assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, examine a child in a local clinic.
Physician Assistant student Michela Schempf and Dr. Michele Jedlica, assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, examine a child in a local clinic.

HPU’s physician assistant master’s degree program is ranked No. 65 among the nation’s Best Physician Assistant Programs. PAs are licensed medical providers who work in both primary care and specialty settings. PAs work in conjunction with their supervising physician to expand health care access and provide patient-centered, evidence-based medical care. Graduates of HPU’s physician assistant program regularly achieve 100% pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), including in 2023 and 2022. HPU PA students also have access to cutting-edge simulation labs on campus in the Center for Medical Simulation.

Both programs are housed in the Congdon School of Health Sciences. Dr. Kevin Ford, dean of the school, described the ranking as “truly remarkable considering the newness of our programs.”

“I am extremely proud that the PA and PT programs have been recognized nationally, in the top 30% of programs, the very first time they were each eligible,” said Ford.

Students in HPU’s Department of Physical Therapy have access to a variety of hands-on learning opportunities inside state-of-the-art facilities, including HPU’s Physical Therapy Pro Bono Clinic.
Students in HPU’s Department of Physical Therapy have access to a variety of hands-on learning opportunities inside state-of-the-art facilities, including HPU’s Physical Therapy Pro Bono Clinic.

These rankings reflect the legacy of health care innovation that has been established at HPU through tremendous growth in graduate programs. HPU will welcome its first cohort of students this fall to the Workman School of Dental Medicine, the state’s only private dental school. The School of Optometry is also underway and will be the only optometry school in North Carolina.

“We appreciate these rankings, which underscore the caliber of High Point University’s faculty, academic rigor and our commitment to providing students with an extraordinary education,” said Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU’s president. “We remain laser focused on ensuring students in these graduate programs are prepared to lead in the changing landscape of health care and improve the lives of their patients.”

HPU has achieved unprecedented growth since Qubein began leading a total transformation of the campus after becoming president in 2005. The university welcomed the largest number of students in its 100-year history last fall, with approximately 6,040 students starting classes in August. Data collected by HPU in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers standards shows 99% of the Class of 2022 were employed or furthering their education within 180 days of graduating, which is 14 points higher than the national average.

HPU has also received many other national accolades. U.S. News & World Report continues to recognize HPU for its commitment to innovation and student success in many ways, including three No. 1 rankings in the 2024 edition of “Best Colleges.” HPU was once again named the No. 1 Best Regional College in the South in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, which were released in September 2023. This is the 12th consecutive year the university has earned the prestigious distinction. In addition, HPU is ranked as the No. 1 Most Innovative Regional College in the South for the ninth year in a row and No. 1 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. In addition, HPU is named in the top 30 nationally (No. 27) for Best First-Year Experiences.

HPU was also named one of America’s best academic institutions in The Princeton Review’s “The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition.” It is the seventh consecutive year that HPU was recognized as one of the nation’s top schools based on student reviews. The Princeton Review also ranked HPU in the top 25 nationally in several other categories, including Best-Run Colleges (No. 11), Best Career Services (No. 13) and Most Beautiful Campus (No. 19). Last month, The Princeton Review ranked HPU in America’s Top 50 colleges for undergraduate game design for a third consecutive year. The game design program ranked No. 8 in the South and No. 48 for undergraduate schools across the country.