Hardin-Simmons University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Abilene, Texas. It enrolls 1,283 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
58/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes21
Value54
Affordability61
Selectivity24
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 90%, Hardin-Simmons University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
90%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1010 – 1190
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Hardin-Simmons University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
12.8 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Hardin-Simmons University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $19,555 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$19,555
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
40%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
82%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$32,960
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,500
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,500
Books & Supplies
$1,226
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,450
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,450
Total Cost of Attendance
$45,904
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$13,822
$30,001 – $48,000
$15,190
$48,001 – $75,000
$17,248
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,182
Over $110,000
$25,639
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,50010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$24,711Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$37,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,750
↓ $9,961
No Pell $12,500
↓ $12,211
Dependent students $12,500
↓ $12,211
Independent students $22,438
↓ $2,273
Female students $15,000
↓ $9,711
Male students $12,000
↓ $12,711
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,250, less than completers ($24,711), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
53% of full-time students who enrolled at Hardin-Simmons University graduate within six years, and 65% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
53%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
65%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Hardin-Simmons University earn a median of $54,771 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,771
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$41,400
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$55,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$46,600
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$44,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$52,000
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $14,300, about 26% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.1 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 85% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Hardin-Simmons University is home to 1,283 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 31% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,283
Part-Time
5%
First-Generation
31%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 54.6%701
Hispanic 25.6%329
Black 10.4%134
Other 4.4%56
International 3.2%41
Asian 1.3%16
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Hardin-Simmons University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityAbilene, Texas
Housing
Strongly residential1,180 beds for 1,283 students
Adult Learners
6%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Hardin-Simmons University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
46 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Hardin-Simmons University is 15:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
15:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$334M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$69,902
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
91 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
37
41%
$76,566
Associate Professors
23
25%
$69,578
Assistant Professors
24
26%
$64,868
Instructors
7
8%
$53,001
Pros & Cons of Hardin-Simmons University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Hardin-Simmons University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average completion rate
First-year retention is below typical
Most students take on federal loans
Best for:
Based on the data, Hardin-Simmons University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hardin-Simmons University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Hardin-Simmons University.
Is Hardin-Simmons University hard to get into?
Hardin-Simmons University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 90%.
What is the acceptance rate at Hardin-Simmons University?
Hardin-Simmons University has an acceptance rate of 90%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Hardin-Simmons University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Hardin-Simmons University scored between 1010 and 1190 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Hardin-Simmons University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Hardin-Simmons University scored between 19 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Hardin-Simmons University cost?
The average net price after aid at Hardin-Simmons University is $19,555 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Hardin-Simmons University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,771 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $19,555 per year. That's roughly 2.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Hardin-Simmons University known for?
Hardin-Simmons University is best known for its programs in Kinesiology, Business Administration, Rehabilitation. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Hardin-Simmons University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Hardin-Simmons University are $54,771, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Hardin-Simmons University accredited?
Yes. Hardin-Simmons University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend Hardin-Simmons University?
Hardin-Simmons University enrolls 1,283 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Hardin-Simmons University?
Hardin-Simmons University graduates 53% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Hardin-Simmons University a public or private college?
Hardin-Simmons University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Hardin-Simmons University located?
Hardin-Simmons University is located in Abilene, Texas.
What programs does Hardin-Simmons University offer?
Hardin-Simmons University offers 46 distinct programs. The most popular include Kinesiology, Business Administration, Rehabilitation.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Hardin-Simmons University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Hardin-Simmons University is 15:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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