Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Arkadelphia, Arkansas |
| Online | hsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Henderson State University, located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, sits on a 151-acre campus approximately 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. Established in 1890 as a Methodist institution, it became a public university in 1929 and is now the second-oldest public university in Arkansas. The campus features traditional red brick architecture and is situated across from longtime rival Ouachita Baptist University, creating a unique "twin college" dynamic in the small town setting. HSU maintains strong academic programs in education, business, and aviation, with its aviation program being one of the few in the region to offer both professional pilot and aviation management tracks. The university provides traditional dormitory housing for students and competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Reddies, primarily within the Great American Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Henderson State University is rated within the lower 28% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Henderson State University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#976 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#403 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#11 in Best Colleges in Arkansas
#7 in Best Public Colleges in Arkansas
#25 in Best Value Colleges in Arkansas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 903/1073 |
| ACT | 16/21 |
| GPA | 3.23 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Arkansas Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,598 |
| Other Fees | $1,680 |
| Room and Board | $9,558 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $7,378 |
| Total One Year Cost | $27,094 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,598 |
| Other Fees | $1,680 |
| Room and Board | $9,558 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $7,378 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,302 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 19% |
| Business | 17% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 11% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| Biology | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Henderson State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=107071 IPEDS survey data for Henderson State University.
Current students may use the Henderson State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024