Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU Lipscomb UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Freed-Hardeman University OC Gonzaga Saint Martin's University OBU Hendrix College University of Puget Sound| Harding University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Harding University | PLU | ||
| Location | Searcy, AR | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 4,805 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #477 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Churches of Christ | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | harding.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Harding University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $22,500 | $49,472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $22,500 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,984 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,558 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $14,682 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 99% |
Admission |
Harding University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,254 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 1,017 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 45.1% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 78.9% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 20/28 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1040/1300 | 1253/1423 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2024 |
Academics |
Harding University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Harding University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 63% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,800 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Harding University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 42% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 58% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Harding University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 28% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 68% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Harding University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Harding University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (4,805 students vs. 2,633 students)
Harding University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Harding University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 119.9% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $22,500.00)
- Out of state tuition is 119.9% higher at PLU than Harding University ($49,472.00 vs. $22,500.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than PLU ($19,558 vs. $24,825)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 48.1% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($7,984 vs. $11,826)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Harding University (99% vs. 97%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 148.2% larger than aid received Harding University ($36,435 vs. $14,682)
Harding University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Harding University .
- The average SAT score at Harding University (1135) is 18 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Harding University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman Harding University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.71) as students at PLU (3.71)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Harding University (45.1%)
Harding University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Harding University or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Harding University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Harding University (66% vs. 63%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $44,800)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/