Harding University vs. SPU

Should I go to Harding University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Harding University or SPU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Harding University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Harding University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Harding University Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

Harding University SPU
Location Searcy, AR Seattle, WA
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 4,805 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #477 #270
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website harding.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Harding University SPU
Tuition (In State) $22,500 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $22,500 $36,504
Room & Board $7,984 $14,409
Avg Net Price $19,558 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $14,682 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

Harding University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,254 3,895
Admitted 1,017 3,533
Acceptance Rate 45.1% 90.7%
Enrolled % 78.9% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 20/27
SAT Range 1040/1300 1080/1350
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 11, 2024

Academics

Harding University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Harding University SPU
Graduation Rate 63% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $279 $264

Diversity

Harding University SPU
% Men 42% 31%
% Women 58% 69%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 61%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 8%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Harding University SPU
% In-State 28% 71%
% Out-of-State 68% 26%

Campus

Harding University SPU
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 SPU based on total student enrollment (4,805 students vs. 3,118 students)

Harding University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harding University or SPU?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 62.2% more expensive to attend than Harding University for in-state tuition ($36,504.00 vs. $22,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.2% higher at SPU than Harding University ($36,504.00 vs. $22,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harding University than SPU ($19,558 vs. $26,549)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 80.5% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($7,984 vs. $14,409)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than Harding University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 72.7% larger than aid received Harding University ($25,359 vs. $14,682)

Harding University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harding University or SPU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SPU or Harding University .

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 10 points higher than at Harding University (1135)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Harding University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Harding University (45.1%)

Harding University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Harding University or SPU? 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 SPU and Harding University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Harding University (74% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $5,600 more per year than Harding University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $44,800)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/