Harding University

Harding University Overview

Harding University is a private, religious school in the small town setting of Searcy, Arkansas. Harding University was founded in 1924 and the school presently has around 4,973 students per year, which includes 3,687 undergraduate students. Harding University provides on-campus housing for up to 2,869 students. Most students live in off campus housing, and 82% of students spend their weekends on campus.

Student Activities at Harding University

Love music or performing? At Harding University you can join a campus band, sing in a chorus, or perform with one of the school's theater groups.

Are you interested in journalism and communications? Harding University students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Harding University does not have any fraternities or sororities, do it might be a good option if Greek life isn't a priority for you.

Planning to play sports? Harding University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Harding University on the Student Life page.

Is Harding University a Good School?

Different people have different ideas about what makes a "good" school. Admissions criteria, acceptance rate and average GPA are good indicators of how selective an institution is.

Let's take a closer look at these factors to get a better sense of what Harding University offers and if it could be the right college for you.

Harding University Acceptance Rate 2022

It is moderately difficult to get into Harding University. Around 54% of applicants get into Harding University each year. Last year, 2,200 students applied to Harding University and 1,191 were admitted.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Harding University

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Approximately 84% of students who start at Harding University come back for their second year of college. Around 67% of students who started at Harding University earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. Compare this to the average six-year graduation rate for colleges and universities in the U.S., which is around 61% for public schools and 67% for private.

Job Outlook Harding University Graduates

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school.

Check with Harding University directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Harding University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Harding University's endowment was $166.2 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $11,786 for each full-time student enrolled.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Harding University

Tuition cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

Harding University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,431 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $35,252 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! No one should ever pay to fill out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Harding University.

Based on this information, does Harding University seem like a good fit? Remember, the best school for one person may be a terrible fit for someone else! So ask yourself: Is Harding University a good school for you?

If Harding University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Searching for Colleges?

To learn more about Harding University, choose from the options below:

Admissions

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Harding University Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to take a data science look at your chances of getting admitted to some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.

Where is Harding University Located?

Harding University is located in the small town setting of Searcy, Arkansas, less than an hour from Little Rock.

If you would like to see Harding University for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take U.S. Highway 67/167 to Searcy, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Bill and Hillary Clinton National/Adams Field.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Harding University and Searcy are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges in Arkansas?

See a full list of colleges in Arkansas and save your favorites to your college list.