Harding University vs. Abilene Christian University

Should I go to Harding University or Abilene Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Harding University or Abilene Christian University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Harding University vs. Abilene Christian University comparison
Harding University Abilene Christian University College 3 College 4
Harding University Abilene Christian University
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Overview

Harding University Abilene Christian University
Location Searcy, AR Abilene, TX
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 4,805 5,079
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #477 #416
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website harding.edu acu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Harding University Abilene Christian University
Tuition (In State) $22,500 $40,300
Tuition (Out of State) $22,500 $40,300
Room & Board $7,984 $11,500
Avg Net Price $19,558 $28,978
Avg Grant Aid $14,682 $26,280
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

Harding University Abilene Christian University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,254 11,226
Admitted 1,017 7,386
Acceptance Rate 45.1% 65.8%
Enrolled % 78.9% 12.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/28 21/28
SAT Range 1040/1300 1070/1280
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Harding University Abilene Christian University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Harding University Abilene Christian University
Graduation Rate 63% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,325
Median Loan Payment $279 $261

Diversity

Harding University Abilene Christian University
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 64%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 16%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Harding University Abilene Christian University
% In-State 28% 81%
% Out-of-State 68% 16%

Campus

Harding University Abilene Christian University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Abilene Christian University is larger than than Harding University based on total student enrollment (5,079 students vs. 4,805 students)

Harding University vs. Abilene Christian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harding University or Abilene Christian University?

  • Abilene Christian University is 79.1% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($40,300.00 vs. $22,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 79.1% higher at Abilene Christian University than Harding University ($40,300.00 vs. $22,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than Abilene Christian University ($19,558 vs. $28,978)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 44% lower than costs at Abilene Christian University ($7,984 vs. $11,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Abilene Christian University than Harding University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Abilene Christian University students is 79% larger than aid received Harding University ($26,280 vs. $14,682)

Harding University vs. Abilene Christian University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or Abilene Christian University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Abilene Christian University or Harding University .

  • The average SAT score at Harding University (1135) is 43 points higher than at Abilene Christian University (1092)
  • Incoming Harding University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Abilene Christian University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Abilene Christian University (3.65)
  • Abilene Christian University has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Harding University (45.1%)

Harding University vs. Abilene Christian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Harding University or Abilene Christian University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Abilene Christian University and Harding University.

  • The graduation rate at Harding University is higher than Abilene Christian University (63% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Abilene Christian University earn on average $1,200 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $44,800)
  • Abilene Christian University students graduate with a $1,675 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($25,325 vs. $27,000)
  • Abilene Christian University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($261 vs. $279)
  • More Harding University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Abilene Christian University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/