Henderson State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. It enrolls 1,456 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.
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 Open / Online). 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
57/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes47
Value24
Affordability41
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Henderson State University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Henderson State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
6.3 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Henderson State 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 $23,405 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$23,405
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
46%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
44%
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 (in-state)
$8,244
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$10,620
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,000
Room & Board (off-campus)
$8,562
Books & Supplies
$2,500
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$6,420
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$7,800
Total Cost of Attendance
$27,385
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
$23,386
$30,001 – $48,000
$23,208
$48,001 – $75,000
$25,051
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.
$2,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$19,500Medianpercentile
$21,65075%percentile
$30,75090%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 $12,350
↓ $7,150
No Pell $11,000
↓ $8,500
Dependent students $11,000
↓ $8,500
Independent students $17,346
↓ $2,154
Female students $12,500
↓ $7,000
Male students $11,000
↓ $8,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($19,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
37% of full-time students who enrolled at Henderson State University graduate within six years, and 60% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
37%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
60%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Henderson State University earn a median of $43,459 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$43,459
Earning > $25K
72%
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
$35,500
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$46,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$40,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$38,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$42,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,800, about 23% 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.
Declining: debt management worsening over time ↓
11.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 71% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Henderson State University is home to 1,456 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 38% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,456
Part-Time
9%
First-Generation
38%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 54.0%786
Black 34.2%498
Other 4.5%66
Hispanic 4.1%60
International 2.3%34
Asian 0.8%11
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Henderson State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: DistantArkadelphia, Arkansas
Housing
Strongly residential2,061 beds for 1,456 students
Adult Learners
11%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Henderson State University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
52 distinct programs across
20 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 Henderson State University is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$11,290
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$26M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$60,322
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
77 instructional faculty across 5 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
17
22%
$66,494
Associate Professors
17
22%
$70,216
Assistant Professors
26
34%
$60,938
Instructors
16
21%
$42,769
No Rank
1
1%
$52,000
Pros & Cons of Henderson State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Henderson State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
Above-average net price
Class sizes are on the higher side
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Henderson State University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Henderson State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Henderson State University.
How much does Henderson State University cost?
The average net price after aid at Henderson State University is $23,405 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Henderson State University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $43,459 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,405 per year. That's roughly 1.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Henderson State University known for?
Henderson State University is best known for its programs in Special Education, Teaching ESL, Teacher Education (K-12). These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Henderson State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Henderson State University are $43,459, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Henderson State University accredited?
Yes. Henderson State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Henderson State University?
Henderson State University enrolls 1,456 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Henderson State University?
Henderson State University graduates 37% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Henderson State University a public or private college?
Henderson State University is a Public institution.
Where is Henderson State University located?
Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
What programs does Henderson State University offer?
Henderson State University offers 52 distinct programs. The most popular include Special Education, Teaching ESL, Teacher Education (K-12).
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Henderson State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Henderson State University is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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