In 1889, the decision was made to change from college to university, which remained until 1926, when the name Heidelberg College was returned.Interim President According to a statement issued by former interim President Dr. James Troha to all Heidelberg students: "In considering the transition from college to university, the board and senior administrators addressed such issues as competition and trends in higher education and the perception of "university" among prospective students in the U.S. and abroad.

Many of the buildings are formed in gray Bloomville limestone with cut Bedford stone for trim, bringing a sense of overall unity to the various styles.

The university has an honors program, The Life of the Mind, that focuses on four thematic components: the artist, the citizen, the scholar, and the scientist.

Eighty-five percent of the senior faculty members hold a doctorate or the highest degree in their core competency.

Roughly eighty-five percent of students live in campus-owned housing, which includes seven traditional residence halls, senior apartments, and an average of ten Cooperative Learning Communities (CLCs).

CLCs are themed houses that provide students with the opportunity to develop initiatives and programs that will benefit the Heidelberg and/or greater-Tiffin communities.

[6] Heidelberg University has ten different social Greek organizations: five fraternities, four sororities, and one mixed-gender society.

Heidelberg University's history of intercollegiate athletics dates back to 1892, when The Berg beat Findlay in football, 20–0.

On the gridiron, the Student Princes won the 1972 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl under the guidance of head coach Pete Riesen.

Men's cross country has had four-straight seasons of qualifying for the NCAA Championship, (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) and seventh overall in school history (1997, 1998, 1999).

Wrestling has had five straight successful seasons in the OAC, and placed as high as sixth in the nation in the past five years.

The Heidelberg men's running program (Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field) in the 2009–2010 school year finished as the 14th best program among NCAA DIII schools because of their high event finishes at the NCAA Division III National Championships.