Campus Vibe
Known for business
Harding University is a private institution in Searcy with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1187, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 3.3K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
71% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,876 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,579.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Harding University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1187
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
60.5%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$21,601
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
22
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (101)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
87%
- •87% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •After Galloway Female College merged with Hendrix College in 1933, Harding College purchased Galloway's Searcy, Arkansas campus for a fraction of its estimated value and moved there in 1934.
- •Cold War Harding University first advocated pacifism and political disengagement, in line with its own founding influences like James A.
- •The Fulbright Memorandum of June 1961 raised concerns about use of NEP materials in the military.
- •The NEP was charged with being a "Radical Right" organization in the 1964 book Danger on the Right by Arnold Forster and Benjamin R.
- •Epstein of the Anti-Defamation League, which Bales responded to in his 1965 book Americanism under Fire.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Schools Like This
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Fort Smith, AR · Urban · Private
A T Still University of Health Sciences
Kirksville, MO · Town · Private
Academy for Jewish Religion
Yonkers, NY · Suburban · Private
Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences
Oakland, CA · Urban · Private