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Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas 72149-5615

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College town

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.

Established
1924
Motto
Inspired Purpose
Type
Private university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

85 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

100%Acceptance
1187SAT Avg
3,323Students
16:1Student:Faculty
71%Grad Rate
$52,876Earnings 10yr
$20,579Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate100.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1187

Reading & WritingMid: 595
530650
MathMid: 580
520630

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2128

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$24,888
Room & Board$9,940
Books & Supplies$512
Total Cost of Attendance$36,385
Average Net Price$20,579
Median Debt at Graduation$26,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$281

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,473
$30–48K$16,466
$48–75K$18,528
$75–110K$22,084
$110K+$23,563

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

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.3%/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)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

7

Drug Arrests

5

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%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
3,323
Gender Split
55% / 45%
Women / Men
First Generation
21%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%
Black 5%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate70.9%
Freshman Retention86.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,555
10 Years$52,876

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

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

86Low

Estimated from AR state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

St. Louispop. 290K
248 mi(430 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
285 mi(494 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
309 mi(536 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MEM Memphis100 mi
STL St Louis253 mi
BNA Nashville290 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1212 mi · ~35h 1m drive
New York, NY1034 mi · ~29h 52m drive
Hartford, CT1121 mi · ~32h 23m drive
Providence, RI1184 mi · ~34h 12m drive
Albany, NY1090 mi · ~31h 29m drive
Syracuse, NY991 mi · ~28h 38m drive
Rochester, NY931 mi · ~26h 54m drive
Buffalo, NY866 mi · ~25h 1m drive
Philadelphia, PA961 mi · ~27h 46m drive
Pittsburgh, PA733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Newark, NJ1026 mi · ~29h 38m drive
Washington, DC847 mi · ~24h 28m drive
Baltimore, MD875 mi · ~25h 17m drive
Atlanta, GA430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Charlotte, NC614 mi · ~17h 44m drive
Raleigh, NC736 mi · ~21h 16m drive
Miami, FL948 mi · ~27h 23m drive
Orlando, FL763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
Tampa, FL742 mi · ~21h 26m drive
Nashville, TN285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
New Orleans, LA378 mi · ~10h 55m drive
Richmond, VA810 mi · ~23h 24m drive
Chicago, IL509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Detroit, MI676 mi · ~19h 32m drive
Minneapolis, MN677 mi · ~19h 33m drive
St. Louis, MO248 mi · ~7h 10m drive
Kansas City, MO309 mi · ~8h 56m drive
Indianapolis, IN437 mi · ~12h 37m drive
Columbus, OH578 mi · ~16h 42m drive
Cleveland, OH693 mi · ~20h 1m drive
Milwaukee, WI576 mi · ~16h 38m drive
Dallas, TX337 mi · ~9h 44m drive
Houston, TX434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
Austin, TX490 mi · ~14h 9m drive
San Antonio, TX564 mi · ~16h 18m drive
Los Angeles, CA1505 mi · ~43h 29m drive
San Francisco, CA1706 mi · ~49h 17m drive
San Diego, CA1464 mi · ~42h 18m drive
Seattle, WA1784 mi · ~51h 32m drive
Portland, OR1763 mi · ~50h 56m drive
Denver, CO790 mi · ~22h 49m drive
Phoenix, AZ1165 mi · ~33h 39m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1159 mi · ~33h 29m drive
Honolulu, HI4065 mi · ~117h 26m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Harding University Application Checklist

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