Howard Payne University maintained high rankings in the 2015 edition of “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. The publication announced Tuesday that HPU advanced four places from 2014 to be ranked fourth among the regional colleges of the west in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category. Additionally, the university placed 15 out of the ranked institutions in the “Best Regional Colleges of the West” category and seventh among the regional colleges of the west in the “Best Colleges for Veterans” category.
According to the publication, U.S. News determines its “Great Schools, Great Prices” category by taking into account an institution’s academic quality based on its “Best Colleges” ranking and the 2013-2014 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.
“The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal,” the publication stated.
U.S. News determines the “Best Colleges for Veterans” by examining institutions in the 2015 “Best Colleges” rankings which participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active service members apply, pay for and complete their degrees.Institutions are ranked in all categories within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest and West. Universities and colleges in Texas and Oklahoma compete in the West region, which is the largest geographic section, encompassing the entire Western U.S.
Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, voiced the university’s pleasure at once again being recognized as one of the top institutions in the region.
“We continually strive to be an outstanding value to our students and their families,” he said. “We’re honored to have been recognized for these efforts.”
