Harding University
Harding University at a Glance
Reviewed by James A. Barham, PhD, Vice President and Academic Editor. Influence ranks come from our InfluenceRanking™ methodology; other figures come from federal data, with the year shown under each section. Report an error
Harding University Featured Rankings
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas 2026
- #2 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas 2026
- #2 Most Influential US Universities by State
- #3 Best Small Colleges in Arkansas
- #5 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2026
- #6 How to Get a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
- #6 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas
- #7 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2026
- #7 Best Online MBAs Arkansas
- #28 Best CCCU Colleges 2026
About Harding University
According to Wikipedia, Harding University is a private university with its main campus in Searcy, Arkansas. It is the largest private university in Arkansas. Established in 1924, the institution offers undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional programs. The university also comprises Harding School of Theology, located in Memphis, Tennessee, which was formerly known as Harding Graduate School of Religion. Harding is one of several institutions of higher learning associated with the Churches of Christ.
Harding University's Online Degrees
Undergraduate Certificate in Biblical Studies
- Required Credits: 18
- Format: Fully online
Undergraduate Certificate in Christian Ministry
- Required Credits: 24
- Format: Fully online
Harding University Admissions, Retention, and Graduation Information
| Annual Applications | Acceptance | Retention Rate | Graduation Rate | Median SAT Score | Median ACT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,202 | 71% | 86% | 71% | 1170 | 24 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and NCES); acceptance rate for fall 2024; test scores for fall 2024; applications and enrollment for fall 2023; retention for students who started in fall 2023; graduation rate within six years for students who started in 2019.
How Much Does Harding University Cost To Attend?
| Tuition and fees (in-state) |
|---|
| $27,282 |
| Income | Average Net Cost |
|---|---|
| 0 - 30K | $17,711 |
| 30K - 48K | $24,811 |
| 48K - 75K | $25,119 |
| 75K - 110K | $25,661 |
| 110K+ | $26,220 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and NCES); tuition and fees for 2025–26; net price for 2024–25, for first-time, full-time students receiving financial aid.
How Much Do Harding University Graduates Make?
Ten years after starting college, former Harding University students who received federal financial aid earn a median of $56,146 a year, and 93% of those not still in school are working.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; students who started college in 2011–12 or 2012–13, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars.
Harding University's Demographics
Students enrolled at any time during the 2023–24 school year, including part-time and online students.
| Student Body | Under-Grads | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 5,753 | 4,167 | 1,586 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics; 12-month enrollment for 2023–24.
Where is Harding University?
Harding University is located at 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy, AR 72149-5615.
How Safe is Harding University?
Relative to its enrollment, Harding University has a violent crime rate of 0.04% and a property crime rate of 0.02%. Searcy has a violent crime rate of 0.42% and a property crime rate of 2.44%. Sources: campus: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security data, on-campus offenses in 2024 (violent: murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault; property: burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson, which excludes ordinary theft); city: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported to the city police in 2024.
What Is Harding University Known For?
Harding University is known for its academic work in the following disciplines:
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Business
- History
- Nursing
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Communications
- Engineering
- Physics
- Literature
- Social Work
- Medical
- Biology
Harding University's Top Areas of Influence With Degrees Offered
Each rank compares how much Harding University's faculty and alumni have shaped a field with other schools, using Wikipedia, Wikidata and scholarly citation databases such as Crossref and Semantic Scholar. World and U.S. ranks reflect modern influence; the historical rank counts influence across all time. How we rank influence
Harding University ranks #275 in the U.S. and #1165 worldwide for influence in Religious Studies.
religious-studies-hub DegreesHarding University ranks #499 in the U.S. and #2420 worldwide for influence in Chemistry.
chemistry DegreesHarding University ranks #656 in the U.S. and #2678 worldwide for influence in Mathematics.
math DegreesHarding University ranks #755 in the U.S. and #2867 worldwide for influence in Business.
business DegreesHarding University ranks #791 in the U.S. and #2409 worldwide for influence in History.
history DegreesHarding University ranks #812 in the U.S. and #2116 worldwide for influence in Nursing.
nursing DegreesHarding University ranks #921 in the U.S. and #4012 worldwide for influence in Education.
education DegreesHarding University ranks #977 in the U.S. and #1871 worldwide for influence in Criminal Justice.
criminal-justice DegreesHarding University ranks #1022 in the U.S. and #4406 worldwide for influence in Political Science.
political-science DegreesHarding University ranks #1025 in the U.S. and #3365 worldwide for influence in Sociology.
sociology DegreesHarding University ranks #1042 in the U.S. and #2750 worldwide for influence in Psychology.
psychology DegreesHarding University ranks #1071 in the U.S. and #4680 worldwide for influence in Computer Science.
computer-science DegreesHarding University ranks #1127 in the U.S. and #4258 worldwide for influence in Communications.
communications DegreesHarding University ranks #1258 in the U.S. and #6553 worldwide for influence in Engineering.
engineering DegreesHarding University ranks #1429 in the U.S. and #5530 worldwide for influence in Physics.
physics DegreesHarding University ranks #1465 in the U.S. and #4477 worldwide for influence in Literature.
literature DegreesHarding University ranks #1583 in the U.S. and #4095 worldwide for influence in Social Work.
social-work DegreesHarding University ranks #1951 in the U.S. and #6755 worldwide for influence in Medical.
medicine DegreesHarding University ranks #2941 in the U.S. and #11186 worldwide for influence in Biology.
biology DegreesWho Are Harding University's Most Influential Alumni?
Harding University's most influential alumni include professors and professionals in the fields of Religious Studies, Criminal Justice, and Nursing. Here are some of Harding University's most famous alumni:
- Ken Starr
- An American judge and educational administrator.
- Rubel Shelly
- An American academic.
- Thomas B. Warren
- An American Restorationist Philosopher and Theologian.
- Granville Sewell
- An American mathematician.
- Khalil Jahshan
- An American academic.
- Bruce McLarty
- An American academic administrator.
- Ed Madden
- An American writer.
- Clifton L. Ganus Jr.
- An American theologian and educator.
- Roger Duke
- An American theologian and preacher.
- Chad Marshall
- An American soccer player.
- Stedman Graham
- An American educator and businessman.
- Timothy Chad Hutchinson
- An American politician and lawyer.
