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#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

Harding University Admission Requirements

Searcy, Arkansas

 1 Reviews

Chances of getting into Harding University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
54%
Admission Difficulty for Harding University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Average 
How hard is it to get into Harding University and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at Harding University is 54%.  It ranks #3 in Arkansas for lowest rate of acceptance. Harding University is a more competitive school to get into with a good chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants. Last year, 1,191 out of 2,200 applicants were admitted.

The school has challenging admission requirements for SAT and ACT scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 50 percent (SAT 1050/1300 ACT 20/28). 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. Of those applicants who were admitted, 63% enrolled. With over half of admitted students enrolling, acceptance by Harding University is a prized outcome for many students.

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 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Testing Requirements

You are required to submit admission test scores with your application. Harding University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to confirm the most up to date testing requirements.

Harding University SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1050-1300
Applicants Submitting SAT 
23%
SAT Scores for Harding University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 530
SAT Math 25th 520
SAT Composite 25th 1050
SAT Scores for Harding University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 660
SAT Math 75th 640
SAT Composite 75th 1300
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Students who get into Harding University score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1050-1300. The school consistently admits SAT composite scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 920. The average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1180 out of 1600. Harding University ranks #3 in Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score. 23 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Harding University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1300 and Above Good >69%
1175 to 1300 Avg + 54%-69%
1050 to 1175 Avg - 38%-54%
925 to 1050 Reach 25%-38%
Less than 925 Low <25%
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Harding University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
20-28 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
80%
ACT Scores for Harding University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 21
ACT Math 25th 18
ACT Composite 25th 20
ACT Scores for Harding University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 31
ACT Math 75th 27
ACT Composite 75th 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Harding University regularly accepts students who score 20 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 49 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 20-28. We estimate the school accepting a minimum ACT composite score around 16 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 24 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 28 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #5 in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 80 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Harding University.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Harding University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >69%
24 to 28 Avg + 54%-69%
20 to 24 Avg - 38%-54%
16 to 20 Reach 25%-38%
Less than 16 Low <25%
Calculate My Chances 

Harding University GPA

Estimated 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?

Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into Harding University. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Harding University was 3.71 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #5 in Arkansas for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Harding University accepts 54% of students who apply.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

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

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

55% of Harding University freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

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

Harding University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,306 894 2,200
Accepted 703 488 1,191
Acceptance Rate 54% 55% 54%
Enrolled 433 315 748
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 62% 65% 63%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 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
High School GPA Recommended
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Harding University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

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

FAQs

Does Harding University prefer SAT or ACT?

23% of students submit their SAT scores to Harding University. 80% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Harding University?

54% of those who apply are granted admission to Harding University. Admission competition is low and the college has challenging admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Harding University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1050 and 1300. 23% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Harding University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 20 and 28. 80% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.