Harding University vs. Elon

Should I go to Harding University or Elon University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Harding University or Elon 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. Elon University comparison
Harding University Elon University College 3 College 4
Harding University Elon University
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Overview

Harding University Elon
Location Searcy, AR Elon, NC
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 4,608 7,207
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1021 #134
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website harding.edu elon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Harding University Elon
Tuition (In State) $24,240 $44,029
Tuition (Out of State) $24,240 $44,029
Room & Board $9,940 $14,478
Avg Net Price $21,069 $41,849
Avg Grant Aid $15,325 $17,523
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 69%

Admission

Harding University Elon
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,202 18,791
Admitted 2,202 12,649
Acceptance Rate 100% 67.3%
Enrolled % 39.2% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 23/28
SAT Range 1050/1280 1143/1305
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 10, 2026

Academics

Harding University Elon
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Harding University Elon
Graduation Rate 63% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $56,200
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

Harding University Elon
% Men 9% 4%
% Women 15% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 82%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Harding University Elon
% In-State 28% 18%
% Out-of-State 68% 80%

Campus

Harding University Elon
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

  • Elon University is larger than than Harding University based on total student enrollment (7,207 students vs. 4,608 students)

Harding University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harding University or Elon?

  • Elon University is 81.6% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($44,029.00 vs. $24,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.6% higher at Elon than Harding University ($44,029.00 vs. $24,240.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than Elon ($21,069 vs. $41,849)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 45.7% lower than costs at Elon University ($9,940 vs. $14,478)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Harding University than Elon University (98% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 14.3% larger than aid received Harding University ($17,523 vs. $15,325)

Harding University vs. Elon Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 76 points higher than at Harding University (1135)
  • Incoming Elon students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Harding University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Elon (3.65)
  • Harding University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Elon (67.3%)

Harding University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Harding University or Elon? 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 Elon and Harding University.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than Harding University (82% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Elon University earn on average $11,400 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($56,200 vs. $44,800)
  • Elon University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • Elon graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 71%)

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