High Point University

As Yadkin College

In the mid-19th century, the Methodist Protestant Church, which is now part of the United Methodist Church, became active in educational pursuits in North Carolina, and at the 1852 state annual convention in Fayetteville, Yadkin College was founded in northern Davidson County. Following the Civil War, the Yadkin College fell into financial difficulty, and had by the 1890s become a preparatory high school. Yadkin College was officially named the predecessor of High Point University during its 100th anniversary in 2024.

As High Point College

In 1921, after some years of consideration, the statewide governing body of the Methodist Protestant Church voted to establish a new college. Shortly afterward, the church accepted an offer from the citizens of High Point to contribute 60 acres (240,000 m2) of land and $100,000 to the project, placing the new school in the city of High Point. The Georgian-style campus, featuring some architectural elements of Colonial Revivalism, was designed by R.E. Mitchell of Washington, D.C., with assistance from Herbert B. Hunter of High Point. High Point College would officially open on September 14, 1924. When the college opened, the campus consisted of three buildings, attended by nine faculty members, with a student enrollment of 122. The same year, Yadkin College closed its doors, and its assets including its library and bell were transferred to High Point College.

The steadfast growth that characterized the birth of the college ended with the Great Depression. In 1932–33, faculty salaries were cut and expenses were sometimes bartered. Despite a $50,000 fundraising campaign, the college declared bankruptcy on June 15, 1934.

As High Point University

On October 9, 1991, High Point College was renamed to High Point University to reflect its expansion beyond a traditional college curriculum. In 2005, the university was 92 acres (37 ha), with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,450. Its operating budget was $35 million with approximately 100 faculty members. Since Nido R. Qubein became president of High Point University in 2005, the growth of the university has had significant impact on the city, region and state. Qubein is the fourth highest-paid college president in the United States, paid $2.9 million a year.

Since 2005, High Point University has grown from three academic schools to fifteen.

The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac in April 2016, noted that Qubein was the third-highest charitable donor to a university as president with total donations of $10 million to High Point University from 2006 to 2016.

In 2010, the university announced plans to invest about $2.1 billion in overall growth in the next decade. At that time, High Point University had spent $1.2 billion on four new schools plus facilities, faculty, and student services. Moody's Investors Service downgraded the school's bonds and early 2012, Businessweek reported that about $700 million in new building and campus upgrades were financed by borrowing. In addition to questioning debt levels, Businessweek challenged whether the school's relationships with its lenders and vendors were at an appropriate arm's length, citing in particular that the school spends large amounts on marketing with a public-relations firm headed by Qubein's daughter. The coverage challenged the college's claims that its reputation in higher education grew due to student academic achievement, rather than high-end student amenities and marketing strategy.

Ashley Furniture Industries Chairman Ron Wanek donated $10 million to High Point University in 2013 after visiting Qubein. Wanek's gift to the university was the tenth contribution of $10 million or more that Qubein has earned for the university during his tenure.