Harding University Admission Requirements
- 6/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Searcy, AR
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4.5 2 reviews
Harding University Admission Overview
Harding University admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Harding University admitted 70.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.71 GPA (A-) and SAT 1050-1290 / ACT 20-29. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Harding University requires the SAT or ACT.
Harding University Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for Harding University
Acceptance Rate
The Harding University acceptance rate is 70.5%. Last year, 1,914 of 2,714 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in Arkansas.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Harding University and can you get accepted?
Harding University is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Harding University typically 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. 45% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Harding University GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.71Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.71
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Harding University typically have around a 3.71 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades 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
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Harding University SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1050-1290Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 530
- Math 520
- Composite 1050
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 660
- Math 630
- Composite 1290
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Harding University typically score around a 1170 SAT (middle 50% 1050–1290) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 71st percentile nationally. Harding University ranks #4 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1050 to 1290
SAT policy
You must send SAT or ACT for 2024-25. Confirm current rules on the school's site.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Harding University ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
20-29Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
75%25th Percentile Scores
- English 20
- Math 18
- Composite 20
75th Percentile Scores
- English 31
- Math 26
- Composite 29
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Harding University typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 20–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Harding University places #4 among colleges in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 29
ACT policy
ACT or SAT is required for 2024-25. Check the school's site for current rules.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.
Open the Harding University chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Harding University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Harding University is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Harding University is test-required for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 70.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.71 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Harding University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=107044.
GPA calculator: Harding University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026