Hardin–Simmons University
Hardin–Simmons 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
Hardin–Simmons University Featured Rankings
About Hardin–Simmons University
According to Wikipedia, Hardin–Simmons University is a private Baptist university in Abilene, Texas, United States. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. History Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher education to the Southwest. The purpose of the school would be "to lead students to Christ, teach them of Christ, and train them for Christ." The original land was donated to the university by rancher C.W. Merchant. It was the first school of higher education established in Texas west of Fort Worth. The school was renamed Simmons College in 1892 in honor of an early contributor, James B. Simmons. By 1907 it claimed an enrollment of 524 and a staff of 49. In 1925, it became Simmons University. It was renamed Hardin–Simmons University in 1934 in honor of Mary and John G. Hardin, who were also major contributors. The university has been associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas since 1941.
Hardin–Simmons University's Online Degrees
BS in Business Science
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: 4-5 years
- Format: Fully online
MA in Management
- Required Credits: 36
- Completion Time: 2-3 years
- Format: Fully online
MBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- General
- Sport Business
- Required Credits: 45
- Completion Time: 2.5-3.5 years
- Format: Fully online
EdD in Leadership in Higher Education
- Required Credits: 57
- Completion Time: 3-4 years
- Format: Fully online
MEd in Higher Education, General Administration
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: 2-3 years
- Format: Fully online
MEd in Reading Education
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: 2-3 years
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: 4-5 years
- Format: Fully online
MS in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: 2-3 years
- Format: Fully online
Hardin–Simmons University Admissions, Retention, and Graduation Information
| Annual Applications | Acceptance | Retention Rate | Graduation Rate | Median SAT Score | Median ACT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,452 | 90% | 65% | 44% | 1100 | 22 |
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 Hardin–Simmons University Cost To Attend?
| Tuition and fees (in-state) |
|---|
| $34,260 |
| Income | Average Net Cost |
|---|---|
| 0 - 30K | $13,040 |
| 30K - 48K | $13,887 |
| 48K - 75K | $14,153 |
| 75K - 110K | $20,601 |
| 110K+ | $26,135 |
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 Hardin–Simmons University Graduates Make?
Ten years after starting college, former Hardin–Simmons University students who received federal financial aid earn a median of $56,313 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.
Hardin–Simmons 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,754 | 1,350 | 404 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics; 12-month enrollment for 2023–24.
Where is Hardin–Simmons University?
Hardin–Simmons University is located at 2200 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79698-0001.
How Safe is Hardin–Simmons University?
Relative to its enrollment, Hardin–Simmons University has a violent crime rate of 0.18% and a property crime rate of 0.12%. Abilene has a violent crime rate of 0.43% and a property crime rate of 1.77%. 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 Hardin–Simmons University Known For?
Hardin–Simmons University is known for its academic work in the following disciplines:
- Religious Studies
- History
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Business
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Biology
- Social Work
- Education
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Communications
- Economics
Hardin–Simmons University's Top Areas of Influence With Degrees Offered
Each rank compares how much Hardin–Simmons 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
Hardin–Simmons University ranks #857 in the U.S. and #3962 worldwide for influence in Religious Studies.
religious-studies-hub DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #934 in the U.S. and #2900 worldwide for influence in History.
history DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #950 in the U.S. and #3325 worldwide for influence in Medical.
medicine DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1101 in the U.S. and #2111 worldwide for influence in Criminal Justice.
criminal-justice DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1110 in the U.S. and #3336 worldwide for influence in Literature.
literature DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1123 in the U.S. and #4335 worldwide for influence in Mathematics.
math DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1165 in the U.S. and #4798 worldwide for influence in Chemistry.
chemistry DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1295 in the U.S. and #3388 worldwide for influence in Psychology.
psychology DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1361 in the U.S. and #5001 worldwide for influence in Business.
business DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1365 in the U.S. and #3463 worldwide for influence in Nursing.
nursing DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1434 in the U.S. and #4552 worldwide for influence in Sociology.
sociology DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1511 in the U.S. and #6179 worldwide for influence in Biology.
biology DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1561 in the U.S. and #4051 worldwide for influence in Social Work.
social-work DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1673 in the U.S. and #6522 worldwide for influence in Education.
education DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1743 in the U.S. and #6975 worldwide for influence in Computer Science.
computer-science DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1862 in the U.S. and #6679 worldwide for influence in Physics.
physics DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #1897 in the U.S. and #7068 worldwide for influence in Communications.
communications DegreesHardin–Simmons University ranks #2010 in the U.S. and #8444 worldwide for influence in Economics.
economics DegreesWho Are Hardin–Simmons University's Most Influential Alumni?
Hardin–Simmons University's most influential alumni include professors and professionals in the fields of Criminal Justice, History, and Medical. Here are some of Hardin–Simmons University's most famous alumni:
- Liz Smith
- An American writer.
- Doyle Brunson
- An American poker player .
- Lonnie D. Kliever
- An American theologian.
- Fess Parker
- An American actor .
- Marion Zimmer Bradley
- An American novelist and editor.
- Thomas G. Barnes
- A Creationist .
- Paige Patterson
- An American theologian and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
- Charles R. Brewer
- An American preacher.
- Dan Blocker
- An American actor .
- Will Wagner
- An American football player and coach.
- Stedman Graham
- An American educator and businessman.
- Don Collier
- An American actor .
