HSU Admission Requirements

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HSU Admission Overview

HSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year HSU admitted 90% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.43 GPA (B+) and SAT 1010-1190 / ACT 19-26. HSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

90%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The HSU acceptance rate is 90%. Last year, 3,131 of 3,479 applicants were admitted. That is the 48th lowest acceptance rate in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into HSU and can you get accepted?

HSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Hardin Simmons University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.43. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.43

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.43

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at HSU typically have around a 3.43 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. HSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #33 in Texas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Hardin Simmons University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	13.68%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	14.35%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	26.68%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	15.92%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	13.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	12.56%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	3.36%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.45%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

HSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1010-1190

Freshmen who sent SAT

32%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 510
Math 500
Composite 1010

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 590
Composite 1190

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at HSU typically score around a 1100 SAT (middle 50% 1010–1190) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 59th percentile nationally. HSU ranks #24 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1010 to 1190

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

HSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Hardin Simmons University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1190+	Above 75th	>94%
1100 to 1190	Avg +	90%-94%
1010 to 1100	Avg -	83%-90%
Below 1010	Below mid-50	<83%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

20%

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 18
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 24
Composite 26

Average ACT

Incoming testers at HSU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. HSU places #24 among colleges in Texas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to HSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Hardin Simmons University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26+	Above 75th	>95%
22 to 26	Avg +	90%-95%
19 to 22	Avg -	84%-90%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<84%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

75% of Hardin Simmons University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 48% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Hardin Simmons University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	33%
Top 25% of class	48%
Top 50% of class	75%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the HSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Hardin Simmons University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,191	1,288	3,479
Accepted	2,002	1,129	3,131
Acceptance Rate	91%	88%	90%
Enrolled	168	215	383
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	8%	19%	12%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Hardin Simmons University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Hardin Simmons University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Hardin Simmons University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Hardin Simmons University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

HSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 90% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.43 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1010-1190); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025