Henderson State University vs. Nelson University

Deciding between Henderson State University and Nelson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Henderson State University
Nelson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
  • Nelson University Waxahachie, TX
  • Setting
  • Henderson State University Distant Town
  • Nelson University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Henderson State University 2,055
  • Nelson University 1,794
  • Type
  • Henderson State University Public 4 Year
  • Nelson University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Henderson State University #1024
  • Nelson University #994
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Henderson State University -
  • Nelson University Assemblies of God Church
  • Status
  • Henderson State University Non-profit
  • Nelson University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Henderson State University
  • Nelson University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Henderson State University $8,244
  • Nelson University $25,064
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Henderson State University $10,620
  • Nelson University $25,064
  • Room & Board
  • Henderson State University $10,000
  • Nelson University $9,598
  • Average Net Price
  • Henderson State University $20,444
  • Nelson University $22,359
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University $7,867
  • Nelson University $12,075
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University 98%
  • Nelson University 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Henderson State University -
  • Nelson University 656
  • Admitted
  • Henderson State University -
  • Nelson University 584
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Henderson State University
  • Nelson University 89%
  • Enrolled
  • Henderson State University
  • Nelson University 56.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Henderson State University 990
  • Nelson University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • Henderson State University 18
  • Nelson University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Henderson State University 3.23
  • Nelson University 3.19
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Henderson State University B+
  • Nelson University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Henderson State University Extremely Easy
  • Nelson University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Henderson State University
  • Nelson University
  • ACT Range
  • Henderson State University 16/21
  • Nelson University
  • SAT Range
  • Henderson State University 903/1073
  • Nelson University 890/1090
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Henderson State University Not reported
  • Nelson University Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • Nelson University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Henderson State University 14:1
  • Nelson University 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Henderson State University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Nelson University
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (48%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Business (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Henderson State University 31%
  • Nelson University 37%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Henderson State University $38,400
  • Nelson University $36,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Henderson State University 48%
  • Nelson University 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Henderson State University $19,500
  • Nelson University $26,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Henderson State University $201
  • Nelson University $271
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Henderson State University 41%
  • Nelson University 50%
  • % Women
  • Henderson State University 59%
  • Nelson University 50%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Henderson State University Medium
  • Nelson University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Henderson State University No
  • Nelson University No
  • % White
  • Henderson State University 66%
  • Nelson University 63%
  • % Asian
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • Nelson University 1%
  • % Black
  • Henderson State University 24%
  • Nelson University 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • Nelson University 21%
  • % Native American
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • Nelson University 2%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • Nelson University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • Nelson University 2%
  • % International
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • Nelson University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • Nelson University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Henderson State University 74%
  • Nelson University 72%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Henderson State University 23%
  • Nelson University 26%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Henderson State University Yes
  • Nelson University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Henderson State University No
  • Nelson University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Henderson State University Yes
  • Nelson University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Henderson State University No
  • Nelson University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Henderson State University No
  • Nelson University No
  • Learn More
  • Henderson State University Details
  • Nelson University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR with Nelson University in Waxahachie, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Henderson State University is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (2,055 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
  • Henderson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Henderson State University 14:1; Nelson University 15:1.

Henderson State University vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University or Nelson University? 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 Henderson State University than Nelson University ($20,444 vs. $22,359).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 4% lower than at Henderson State University ($9,598 vs. $10,000).
  • Nelson University is 204% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $16,820 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $8,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 136% higher at Nelson University than at Henderson State University (about $14,444 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $10,620.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Henderson State University than at Nelson University (98% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Henderson State University students ($12,075 vs. $7,867).

Henderson State University vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University and Henderson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Henderson State University (990) is the same as at Nelson University (990).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 903/1073; Nelson University 890/1090.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Henderson State University - Not reported; Nelson University - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Henderson State University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Nelson University (3.19).

Henderson State University vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Henderson State University and Nelson University? 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).

  • Nelson University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Henderson State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Henderson State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Nelson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,250).
  • Among borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($201 vs. $271).
  • More Nelson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 48%)

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.