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Colleges / Harding University

Harding University

Searcy, AR 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate45%

Harding University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Harding University was $24,240 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 1.89%–from $23,790 the previous year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Harding University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Harding University full-time are awarded $15,484 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $31,659 in student loans for each student with debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Harding University

Harding University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Arkansas as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Arkansas residents.

Choosing a school where you qualify for in-state tuition can save on the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Arkansas colleges

Is Harding University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Harding University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Harding University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideHarding University •Harding University-specific loans •Harding University-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Harding University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Harding University.

House and Food Costs at Harding University

Room and board at Harding University is $8,580 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Harding University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $4,068.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Harding University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Harding University

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Harding University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area might be expensive, but there may be more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. Harding Universityis located in a town in Arkansas, not far from Little Rock.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


The Full Cost of Attending Harding University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Harding University.

How Much Does Harding University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Harding University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $24,240
Room and Board $8,580
Board Only $3,650

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $33,468
Off-Campus $28,538

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Harding University


The majority of Harding University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 1,811 of the 3,523 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Harding University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,484 a year. Around 58% of Harding University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Harding University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $31,659 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $25,718
Harding University-Specific Loans $6,420
Private Loans $33,736
Most Common Loans for Harding University Students
Federal Loans 58%
Institutional Loans 1%
Private loans 11%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Harding University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Harding University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Harding University awarded 1,729 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $20.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $15.04 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Harding University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Harding University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Harding University was $15,484 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Harding University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $17,984
Off-Campus $13,054

What will attending Harding University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Harding University's net cost calculator on their website.

Harding University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Harding University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Harding University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - International Students

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Harding University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Harding University's endowment was $166.2 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Harding University spends about $11,786 a year.


Learn More About Harding University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others say about Harding University in the College Confidential forums

Harding University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$33,468

In State

$33,468

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$24,240
$24,240
Fees
$648
$648
Housing
$8,580
$8,580
Books
Unknown
Unknown

Harding University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

52%

Average Financial Aid Package

$15,072

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

4,805

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

45%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$24,888

Out-of-State

$24,888

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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