Harding University

www.harding.edu

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    2024 Undergraduate Tuition
    $25,290
    4.33% growth from 2023
    2024 Average Net Price
    $22,806
    After Financial Aid
    2024 Acceptance Rate
    70.5%
    2,714 Applicants
    2024 Enrolled Students
    4,696
    80.7% Full-Time
    2024 Graduation Rate
    68.8%
    593 Graduates

    About

    Harding University is a higher education institution located in White County, AR. In 2024, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Harding University were Elementary Education & Teaching (73 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (59 degrees), and Information Science (51 degrees).

    In 2024, 1,304 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Harding University. 59.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,028 degrees), 13.7 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (75 degrees).

    The median undergraduate tuition at Harding University is $25,290, which is $−6,630 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

    Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research ActivityDoctoral Universities

    Costs

    In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Harding University is $25,290, which is $6,630 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

    After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $22,806.

    In 2024, 94% of undergraduate students attending Harding University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 44% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

    Tuition Costs

    $25,290
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition

    In 2024, the cost of tuition at Harding University was $25,290. The cost of tuition at Harding University is $−6,630 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

    This chart compares the tuition costs of Harding University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

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    Average Net Price

    $22,806
    2024 Value
    8.24%
    1 Year Growth

    In 2024 Harding University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $22,806. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Harding University grew by 8.24%.

    This chart compares the average net price of Harding University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

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    Other Student Expenses

    $9,432
    Room and Board
    $512
    Books and Supplies

    The average yearly cost of room and board at Harding University was of $9,432 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 18.1% between 2023 and 2024.

    During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $512. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 57.3% during the same period.

    This chart compares the average student costs at Harding University (in red) with that of similar universities.

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    Financial Aid by Income Level

    94%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
    44%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

    94% of undergraduate students at Harding University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.08% with respect to 2023, when 93% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

    This chart compares the average award discount at Harding University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

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    Admissions

    Harding University received 2,714 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 23.3% annual growth. Out of those 2,714 applicants, 1,914 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 70.5% acceptance rate.

    There were 4,696 students enrolled at Harding University in 2024. 18% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    Harding University has an overall enrollment yield of 44.6%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

    Acceptance Rate

    70.5%
    Acceptance Rate in 2024
    1,914
    Accepted Out of 2,714

    In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Harding University was 70.5% (1,914 admissions from 2,714 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 100%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 23.3%, while admissions declined by 13.1%.

    This chart compares the acceptance rate of Harding University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

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    SAT Scores

    18%
    Submission Percentage (2024)
    157
    Scores Submitted (2024)

    18% of enrolled first-time students at Harding University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

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    Enrollment

    Harding University had a total enrollment of 4,696 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Harding University is 3,791 students and the part-time enrollment is 905. This means that 80.7% of students enrolled at Harding University are enrolled full-time.

    The enrolled student population at Harding University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 78.2% White, 6.2% Black or African American, 4.58% Hispanic or Latino, 3.85% Two or More Races, 1.75% Asian, 0.575% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.106% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolled at Harding University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (44.3%), followed by White Male (36%) and Black or African American Male (2.62%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (51.4%), followed by White Male (21.6%) and Black or African American Female (5.32%).

    Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

    80.7%
    Full-Time Enrollment

    The total enrollment at Harding University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 4,696 students. The full-time enrollment at Harding University is 3,791 and the part-time enrollment is 905. This means that 80.7% of students enrolled at Harding University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

    This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Harding University (in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Retention Rate over Time

    86%
    2024 Retention Rate

    Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Harding University was 86%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Harding University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

    This chart shows the retention rate over time at Harding University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

    Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      3,673 enrolled students
    2. Black or African American
      291 enrolled students
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      215 enrolled students

    The enrolled student population at Harding University is 78.2% White, 6.2% Black or African American, 4.58% Hispanic or Latino, 3.85% Two or More Races, 1.75% Asian, 0.575% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.106% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

    Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0 students (0%) did not report their race.

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    Graduates

    In 2024, 248 more women than men received degrees from Harding University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Harding University is white (1,028 degrees awarded). There were 13.7 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (75 degrees).

    The most common Masters Degree concentration at Harding University is Elementary Education & Teaching (73 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (59 degrees) and Information Science (51 degrees).

    In 2024,  the most specialized majors across all degree types at Harding University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Theology (63 degrees awarded), Education (282 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees).

    Common Jobs by Major

    Elementary & middle school teachers
    Most Common Job

    The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Harding University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,591,375 people), Secondary school teachers (565,501 people), Education administrators (298,675 people), Special education teachers (207,824 people), and Preschool & kindergarten teachers (188,277 people).

    The most specialized majors at Harding University in 2024 are Theology (63 degrees awarded), Education (282 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees), Language & Linguistics (14 degrees), and English (19 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Highest Paying Jobs by Major

    Surgeons
    Highest Paying Job

    The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Harding University are Surgeons, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Physicians, Gaming services workers, and Nurse anesthetists

    The most specialized majors at Harding University are Theology (63 degrees awarded), Education (282 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees), Language & Linguistics (14 degrees), and English (19 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Common Industries by Major

    Elementary & secondary schools
    Most Common Industry

    The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Harding University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,980,777 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (414,244 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (225,300 people), Religious organizations (142,635 people), and Computer Systems Design (137,893 people).

    The most specialized majors at Harding University are Theology (63 degrees awarded), Education (282 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (54 degrees), Language & Linguistics (14 degrees), and English (19 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Majors Awarded

    IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Harding University.
    Most Common (2024)
    1. Elementary Education & Teaching
      49 degrees awarded
    2. Registered Nursing
      46 degrees awarded
    3. Kinesiology & Exercise Science
      40 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Harding University was Elementary Education & Teaching with 49 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Harding University according to their major.

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    Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

    528
    Degrees Awarded to Men
    in 2024
    776
    Degrees Awarded to Women
    in 2024

    In 2024, 528 degrees were awarded to men at Harding University, which is 0.68 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (776).

    This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Harding University by degrees awarded.

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    Most Common Male Majors

    In 2024, 46 degrees were awarded to men at Harding University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.64 times more than the 28 female recipients with that same degree.

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    Most Common Female Majors

    In 2024, 117 degrees were awarded to men at Harding University in Elementary Education & Teaching, which is 23.4 times more than the 5 male recipients with that same degree.

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    Time to Complete

    53%
    100% Completion Time
    69%
    150% Completion Time

    In 2024, 53% of students graduating from Harding University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 69% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 70% within 200%.

    The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

    Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Share

    Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      1,028 degrees awarded
    2. Black or African American
      75 degrees awarded
    3. Two or More Races
      56 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity at Harding University is white (1,028 degrees awarded). There were 13.7 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (75 degrees).

    0.844% of degree recipients (11 students) did not report their race.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Sex

    Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
    1. White Female
      720 degrees awarded
    2. White Female
      688 degrees awarded
    3. White Female
      687 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Harding University is white female (720 degrees awarded). There were 1.05 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (688 degrees).

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    Operations

    Harding University has an endowment valued at nearly $217M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 6.16M (2.84%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

    In 2024, Harding University had a total salary expenditure of 135M. Harding University employs 91 Professors, 81 Assistant professors and 67 Associate professors. Most academics at Harding University are Male Professor (73), Female Assistant professor (44), and Male Assistant professor (37).

    The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Harding University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 116 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 93 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 69 employees.

    Endowment

    $217M
    2024 Endowment
    2.48%
    growth from 2023

    Harding University has an endowment valued at about $217M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Harding University grew 2.48% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $34.8M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

    This line chart shows how the endowment at Harding University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

    The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

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    Salary Expenditure

    $49.7M
    2024 Salaries
    1.1%
    decline from 2023

    In 2024, Harding University paid a median of $49.7M in salaries, which represents 36.9% of their overall expenditure ($135M) and a 1.1% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.0735% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 3.18% growth between 2021 and 2022.

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    Instructional Salaries

    $20.6M
    Instructional Salaries
    265
    Number of Employees

    In 2024, Harding University paid a total of $20.6M to 265 employees working as instructors, which represents 41.4% of all salaries paid.

    This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

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    Occupations by Share

    In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Harding University were Office and Administrative Support with 116 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 93 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 69 employees.

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