Harding University vs. OU

Comparable Facts

Compare Harding University in Searcy, AR with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than Harding University based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 4,696 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harding University is located in Searcy, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• Harding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harding University 13:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 33.5% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($9,060 vs. $13,630).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at OU than at Harding University (about $1,115 more per year; $27,377 vs. $26,262).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Harding University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harding University students is 47.6% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($16,763 vs. $11,356).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at OU than at Harding University (26 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are required at Harding University, test optional at OU.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Harding University average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at OU (3.66).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.6% at Harding University vs. 29.3% at OU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Harding University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harding University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Harding University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (71% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.