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#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

Harding University Admission Requirements

Searcy, Arkansas

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Harding University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

100%
Admission Difficulty for Harding University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Harding University is 100%.  Its admission rate is the 27th lowest in Arkansas.

Admission Selectivity

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

Harding University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,202 out of the 2,202 who applied were admitted.

Harding University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.71. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 39% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Harding University?

Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Harding University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.71 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1170 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Harding University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.71

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Harding University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Harding University are to have around a 3.71 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Harding University is 3.71 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in Arkansas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Harding University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 61.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 10.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 4.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Harding University SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1050-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

18%
SAT Scores for Harding University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 520
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for Harding University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1170

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Harding University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Harding University is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1280. Students who get into Harding University score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  Harding University ranks #4 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Harding University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 18 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1165, you have around a 99% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 99% chance of getting in.

Harding University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >99%
1165 to 1280 Avg + 99%-99%
1050 to 1165 Avg - 99%-99%
935 to 1050 Reach 99%-99%
Less than 935 Low <99%
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Harding University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

94%
ACT Scores for Harding University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Harding University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Harding University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Harding University is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #4 in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 94 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harding University.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Harding University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 99% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 99% with a 28 ACT score.

Harding University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >99%
24 to 28 Avg + 99%-99%
21 to 24 Avg - 99%-99%
18 to 21 Reach 99%-99%
Less than 18 Low <99%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

55% of Harding University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 26% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Harding University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 26%
Top 25% of class 55%
Top 50% of class 81%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Harding University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,236 966 2,202
Accepted 1,236 966 2,202
Acceptance Rate 100% 100% 100%
Enrolled 443 421 864
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 36% 44% 39%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Harding University is $50.

Application Requirements

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

Harding University Application Requirements
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Harding University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Harding University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.71 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1170 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Harding University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=107044 IPEDS survey data for Harding University.

Last updated February 24, 2025