Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Lipscomb Freed-Hardeman University OC OBU Hendrix College Samford University John Brown University Abilene Christian University Arkansas Union University Lubbock Christian University Cottey College| Harding University | Stephens College | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
| Location | Searcy, AR | Columbia, MO | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 4,608 | 532 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #1021 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Churches of Christ | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | harding.edu | stephens.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $24,240 | $27,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $24,240 | $27,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,940 | $13,098 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $21,069 | $23,261 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,325 | $19,424 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,202 | 414 | ||
| Admitted | 2,202 | 379 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 100% | 91.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 39.2% | 19.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.27 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 16/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 1050/1280 | 1130/1270 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Nov 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 7:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
| Graduation Rate | 63% | 55% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,800 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $279 |
Diversity |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 9% | 5% | ||
| % Women | 15% | 28% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 69% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 15% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 6% | ||
| % International | 6% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 28% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 68% | 41% | ||
Campus |
Harding University | Stephens College | ||
| 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 Stephens College based on total student enrollment (4,608 students vs. 532 students)
Harding University vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Harding University or Stephens College?
- Stephens College is 11.4% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($27,000.00 vs. $24,240.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11.4% higher at Stephens College than Harding University ($27,000.00 vs. $24,240.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than Stephens College ($21,069 vs. $23,261)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 31.8% lower than costs at Stephens College ($9,940 vs. $13,098)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Stephens College than Harding University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 26.7% larger than aid received Harding University ($19,424 vs. $15,325)
Harding University vs. Stephens College Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or Stephens College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Stephens College or Harding University .
- The average SAT score at Harding University (1135) is 99 points higher than at Stephens College (1036)
- Incoming Harding University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Stephens College (22)
- Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Stephens College (3.27)
- Harding University has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Stephens College (91.5%)
Harding University vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Harding University or Stephens College? 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 Stephens College and Harding University.
- The graduation rate at Harding University is higher than Stephens College (63% vs. 55%)
- Graduates from Harding University earn on average $7,400 more per year than Stephens College graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $37,400)
- Stephens College and Harding University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
- Stephens College and Harding University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
- More Harding University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/