Harding University vs. William Jewell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Harding University in Searcy, AR with William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harding University is larger than William Jewell College based on total student enrollment (4,696 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harding University is located in Searcy, AR (Distant Town setting); William Jewell College is in Liberty, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Harding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jewell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harding University 13:1; William Jewell College 10:1.

Harding University vs. William Jewell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harding University or William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College than Harding University ($19,294 vs. $22,806).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 20% lower than at William Jewell College ($9,060 vs. $11,320).
• Harding University is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Jewell College (about $5,652 more per year; $26,262.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at Harding University than at William Jewell College (about $5,652 more per year; $26,262.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jewell College than at Harding University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harding University students is 1.3% larger than aid received by William Jewell College students ($16,763 vs. $16,552).

Harding University vs. William Jewell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College and Harding University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Jewell College (1180) is 10 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 William Jewell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harding University 1050/1290; William Jewell College 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harding University 20/29; William Jewell College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Harding University - Required; William Jewell College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at William Jewell College (3.61).
• Harding University has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.6% at Harding University vs. 33% at William Jewell College.

Harding University vs. William Jewell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Harding University and William Jewell College? 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).

• The graduation rate at Harding University is the same as at William Jewell College (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from William Jewell College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Harding University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,500 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Harding University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harding University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More William Jewell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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.