Harding University vs. ULM

Comparable Facts

Compare Harding University in Searcy, AR with University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Monroe is larger than Harding University based on total student enrollment (8,601 students vs. 4,696 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harding University is located in Searcy, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Louisiana at Monroe is in Monroe, LA (Small City setting).
• Harding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harding University 13:1; University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1.

Harding University vs. ULM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harding University or ULM? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Louisiana at Monroe than Harding University ($13,648 vs. $22,806).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 14.2% lower than at University of Louisiana at Monroe ($9,060 vs. $10,554).
• Harding University is 185.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $17,072 more per year; $26,262.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.4% higher at Harding University than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $4,972 more per year; $26,262.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harding University than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harding University students is 25.7% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($16,763 vs. $13,338).

Harding University vs. ULM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or ULM? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ULM and Harding University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Monroe (1260) is 90 points higher than at Harding University (1170).
• Incoming Harding University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harding University 1050/1290; University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harding University 20/29; University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Harding University - Required; ULM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Harding University (70.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.6% at Harding University vs. 35.1% at ULM.

Harding University vs. ULM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Harding University and ULM? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Harding University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Monroe earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Harding University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Harding University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harding University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Harding University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.