Harding University vs. Rider University

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

Harding University Rider University
Location Searcy, AR Lawrenceville, NJ
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,805 4,054
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #477 #263
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website harding.edu rider.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Harding University Rider University
Tuition (In State) $22,500 $36,000
Tuition (Out of State) $22,500 $36,000
Room & Board $7,984 $16,130
Avg Net Price $19,558 $26,388
Avg Grant Aid $14,682 $26,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

Harding University Rider University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,254 9,340
Admitted 1,017 7,858
Acceptance Rate 45.1% 84.1%
Enrolled % 78.9% 9.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.41
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 21/29
SAT Range 1040/1300 1100/1300
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Harding University Rider University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Harding University Rider University
Graduation Rate 63% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $53,000
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Harding University Rider University
% Men 42% 41%
% Women 58% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 62%
% Black 4% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Harding University Rider University
% In-State 28% 74%
% Out-of-State 68% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Harding University is larger than than Rider University based on total student enrollment (4,805 students vs. 4,054 students)

Harding University vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harding University or Rider University?

  • Rider University is 60% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $22,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60% higher at Rider University than Harding University ($36,000.00 vs. $22,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than Rider University ($19,558 vs. $26,388)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 102% lower than costs at Rider University ($7,984 vs. $16,130)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rider University than Harding University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 79.4% larger than aid received Harding University ($26,336 vs. $14,682)

Harding University vs. Rider University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Harding University (1135) is 121 points higher than at Rider University (1014)
  • Incoming Harding University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Rider University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Rider University (3.41)
  • Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than Harding University (45.1%)

Harding University vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Harding University or Rider 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 Rider University and Harding University.

  • The graduation rate at Harding University is the same as at Rider University (63% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Rider University earn on average $8,200 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($53,000 vs. $44,800)
  • Rider University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($25,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Rider University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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