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K-State ESU University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska Arkansas Lipscomb Iowa University of Missouri-Kansas City UALR Johnson County Community College Freed-Hardeman University OU| Harding University | University of Kansas | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Harding University | KU | ||
| Location | Searcy, AR | Lawrence, KS | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 4,805 | 26,708 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #477 | #252 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Churches of Christ | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | harding.edu | ku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Harding University | KU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $22,500 | $10,092 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $22,500 | $26,960 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,984 | $10,136 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,558 | $18,950 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $14,682 | $11,140 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 87% |
Admission |
Harding University | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,254 | 16,204 | ||
| Admitted | 1,017 | 14,234 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 45.1% | 87.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 78.9% | 31.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.66 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 20/28 | 21/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 1040/1300 | 1090/1340 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Harding University | KU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Harding University | KU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 63% | 61% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,800 | $54,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $20,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $211 |
Diversity |
Harding University | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 42% | 45% | ||
| % Women | 58% | 55% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 72% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 7% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 5% | ||
| % International | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Harding University | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 28% | 58% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 68% | 39% | ||
Campus |
Harding University | KU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Kansas is larger than than Harding University based on total student enrollment (26,708 students vs. 4,805 students)
Harding University vs. KU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Harding University or KU?
- Harding University is 122.9% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($22,500.00 vs. $10,092.00)
- Out of state tuition is 19.8% higher at KU than Harding University ($26,960.00 vs. $22,500.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than Harding University ($18,950 vs. $19,558)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 27% lower than costs at University of Kansas ($7,984 vs. $10,136)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Harding University than University of Kansas (97% vs. 87%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Harding University students is 31.8% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($14,682 vs. $11,140)
Harding University vs. KU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or KU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between KU or Harding University .
- The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 10 points higher than at Harding University (1135)
- Incoming Harding University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at KU (25)
- Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at KU (3.66)
- KU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Harding University (45.1%)
Harding University vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Harding University or KU? 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 KU and Harding University.
- The graduation rate at Harding University is higher than University of Kansas (63% vs. 61%)
- Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $9,800 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $44,800)
- University of Kansas students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $27,000)
- KU graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($211 vs. $279)
- More Harding University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/