Harding University Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Harding University is 45.1%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in Arkansas and the 192nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Harding University and can you get accepted?

Harding University is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,017 out of the 2,254 who applied were admitted.

Harding University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.71. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 79% elected to enroll. This indicates that the school is the top choice for most students who apply.

Can you get into Harding University?

45% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Harding University you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.71 or better
• Earn A- grades in high school
• Score 1170 on the SAT
• Score 24 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into Harding University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Harding University are to have around a 3.71 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Harding University will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Harding University is 3.71 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in Arkansas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Harding University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Harding University is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1040-1300. Students who get into Harding University score in the top 53 percent of all SAT test takers..  Harding University ranks #3 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Harding University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1040 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1040, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 28 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1170, you have around a 45% chance of being admitted. A 1300 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 61% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Harding University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Harding University is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 28.  The school ranks #4 in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 76 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harding University.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Harding University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 45% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 61% with a 28 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

55% of Harding University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 26% are in the top ten percent.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Harding University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Harding University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Harding University is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.71 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1170 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1300 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 24 on the ACT places you in a strong position.