Harding University
About Harding University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Harding University is a private Christian university in Searcy, Arkansas. Affiliated with Churches of Christ, it offers programs in education, accounting, nursing, and communication sciences, with a strong emphasis on faith and service.
Founded
1924
Location
Searcy, Arkansas
Students
4,542
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
70.5%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
68.8%
Near national average
Tuition
$26,262
Per year
Avg Net Price
$22,130
After financial aid
SAT Average
1182
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$52,876
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
70.5 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$50
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
With a 70.5% acceptance rate, Harding University admits most students who meet the academic standards. Focus on putting together a complete, thoughtful application.
SAT Scores
1182/ 1600
ACT Scores
24/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Average
68.8% complete their degree within six years
Retention
86.4%
4-Year Grad
49%
6-Year Grad
67%
Teaching Quality
15:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
65.6%
$/Student
$11.7K
Class Size
Medium
While 49% finish in 4 years, 86.4% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$26,262
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$9,060
Books & Supplies
$598
Total Cost of Attendance
$39,534
After Financial Aid
$22,130
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$15,418
Receive Grants
23.8%
Take Loans
43.8%
The total cost of attendance runs about $39,534/yr, including $9,060 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $22,130.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Harding University fund their education.
While in School
23.8%
Get Grants
Free money
43.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$71,055
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$26,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$281/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The $26,500 median debt is above average, but graduates earn $53K within ten years. The numbers suggest the investment pays off for most students.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Harding University.
Gender
53.8%
Female
46%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
3,382
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
1,160
Graduates
20.5%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
5.3%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (54% women, 46% men). 20.5% are first-generation college students.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Town: Distant
Campus Quick Facts
3,382
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Doctoral
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Harding University fields 9 varsity teams with 478 student athletes, about 14% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division II with football
Conference
Great American
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
9
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
478
14% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
68% / 32%
327
Men
151
Women
7
Men's Teams
7
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Harding Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$52,876
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$42K
52 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$70K
48 grads
1yr Earnings
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
$29K
43 grads
1yr Earnings
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
$34K
37 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$29K
35 grads
1yr Earnings
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
$40K
33 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $44K six years out, growing to $53K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding University
What is the acceptance rate at Harding University?▾
How much does Harding University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Harding University?▾
How much do Harding University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.