Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Distant town

Harding University

Searcy, Arkansas. 3,382 undergraduates. Admits 71% of applicants.

71%Graduation rate17 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$19,786Average net price per yearAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
$56,146Median earnings 10 years after starting5% below the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$24,329Median debt at graduation13% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($24,329) equals 43% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($56,146).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$17,711
$30,000–$48,000$24,811
$48,001–$75,000$25,119
$75,001–$110,000$25,661
Over $110,000$26,220

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $27,282.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate71%54%
Return for second year86%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$47,076$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$56,146$58,912
Median debt at graduation$24,329$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

84 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Science37$66,880$108,891$27,375
Accounting and Related Services40$58,551$91,192$25,687
Finance and Financial Management Services21$50,668$88,505$23,750
Computer and Information Sciences, General14$72,039$85,506—
Mechanical Engineering11$69,978$77,271—
Business Administration, Management and Operations15$53,002$71,503—
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing46$73,395$69,991$27,187
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness46$25,208$66,087$27,000
Journalism4—$64,191—
Marketing23$43,475$62,042$23,445
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services30—$61,814$23,335
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics14—$59,241—
Design and Applied Arts17$37,709$58,087—
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication6—$57,281—
Criminal Justice and Corrections14—$54,287$27,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas26$44,893$52,953$26,091
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication22$48,954$50,119$24,469
Social Work27—$49,808$25,267
English Language and Literature, General17—$49,199—
Psychology, General23$35,171$48,280$27,000
Bible/Biblical Studies36$44,505$45,938—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities24$35,866$45,330$29,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods60$42,678$43,177$28,812
Natural Resources Conservation and Research2———
Communication and Media Studies4———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management3———
Education, General4———
Special Education and Teaching4———
Biomedical/Medical Engineering7———
Civil Engineering7———
Computer Engineering3———
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering5———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services12———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies2———
Biology, General10———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology7———
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences8———
Mathematics6———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General18———
International/Globalization Studies1———
Human Biology1———
Data Science3———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other3———
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology4———
Theological and Ministerial Studies2———
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries4———
Chemistry6———
Physics2———
Research and Experimental Psychology5———
Security Science and Technology2———
Public Administration2———
Social Sciences, General1———
Political Science and Government10———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft6———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts4———
Fine and Studio Arts8———
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs1———
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services2———
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities20———
International Business18———
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations4———
History8———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

71%Admission rate
1,182Average SAT of admitted students
20–29ACT middle 50%
13:1Students per faculty member
26%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Harding University cost per year?
The average net price at Harding University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $19,786 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Harding University graduates earn?
Former Harding University students earn a median of $56,146 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Harding University?
71% of Harding University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Harding University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Harding University is $24,329. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.