Harding University

Searcy, AR 72149
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Harding University is the largest private university in Arkansas, with the main campus in Searcy and three satellite campuses throughout the state. The school was founded in 1924 and now includes 49 buildings on the main campus and a growing student body. 5,541 students were enrolled for the Fall 2017 semester. The university includes nine colleges, including the Carr College of Nursing. Students are encouraged to participate in local devotionals, churches, and social clubs while forbidding the formation of fraternities and sororities. Harding University is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and students are required to attend a daily informational and devotional seminar referred to by the students as "chapel".

The Harding University Carr College of Nursing offers several nursing programs, including the traditional BSN track. The nursing program was founded in 1975 and is now ranked as the top nursing program in Arkansas. Other programs include an accelerated 2nd-degree BSN track and a graduate program for a Master of Science in nursing (MSN). The MNS track is for those that want to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and the classes are only offered online. All programs are accredited by the CCNE and have full approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN).

 

Institution Overview

Campus LocaleDistant Town
Number of Students5,541
Student to Faculty Ratio14:1
Is Admission OpenNo
Religious Affiliation
Churches of Christ
Level4-year
TypePrivate
Business ModelNot-for-profit
On Campus HousingYes
Retention Rate83%

Nursing Programs

The Harding University nursing program is fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Inc.

The program offers two tracks to meet the needs of students. The first track is a Traditional full time program which awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, with part time student options available.

The second track is the Advanced Placement Track available to students who possess a current and unencumbered nursing license in the State of Arkansas (RN to BSN, LPN to BSN). The college designs an individualized degree plan in collaboration with the student toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree with full time and part time options available.

Admission Requirements:

  1. High School Diploma or GED equivalency certificate (Students who attain a 3.0 high school grade point average and an ACT composite score of 19 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 900 qualify academically for unconditional admission)
  2. An overall GPA of 2.0 and a 2.5 GPA in pre-nursing courses
  3. Two References

There are two admissions every year. Applications for admission in fall must be received by the school by the 1st of March and applications for the spring semester must be received by the 1st of October.

Successful applicants must be present health documents showing health status, completing of current of immunizations (Varicella, Hepatits A and B vaccinations, tuberculosis skin test/chest x-ray, influenza vaccination and other laboratory test), current certification CPR, health and disability coverage prior to

Nursing Programs Graduates (2017-2018 academic year)

Number of Graduates
Degree type Men Women
Bachelor's degree 8 36
Master's degree 0 6
Average NCLEX pass rate
  • NCLEX-RN: 98.6%

Compare Schools

Nursing schools located within 206 miles radius of Harding University

Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences
96 miles away
Christian Brothers University
99 miles away
College of the Ozarks
127 miles away
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162 miles away
Union University
164 miles away
Freed-Hardeman University
174 miles away
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences
187 miles away
Southwest Baptist University
187 miles away
Bethel University
190 miles away
Bacone College
206 miles away

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Accreditations

Institutional Accreditations
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
01/01/1954 - Current
Nursing Programs Accreditations
Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program
ACEN
04/01/1980 - Current

Admission

72%

Acceptance Rate
Enrolled students test score (Fall 2017)
SAT1050 to 1280
ACT22 to 28
Admission considerations
Secondary school GPA Recommended
Secondary school rank Recommended
Secondary school record Required
Completion of college-preparatory program Recommended
Recommendations Required
Formal demonstration of competencies Neither required nor recommended
Admission test scores (SAT/ACT) Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) Neither required nor recommended

In addition to the college's admission requirements each nursing program might have its own admission criteria (such as: TEAS score, HESI A2 score, nursing prerequisites GPA, etc).
Application fee
Undergrads $50
Graduates $45

Cost to Attend

The following table details the reported cost of attendance per credit hour for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Undergrad courses
In District Students$623/credit
In State Students$623/credit
Out of State Students$623/credit
Graduate courses
In District Students$679/credit
In State Students$679/credit
Out of State Students$679/credit

Tuition Estimates

Based on the above credit hour costs, here is a sample tuition for different nursing programs.

Program Credit Hours In district In State Out of State
LPN 45 $28,035 $28,035 $28,035
ADN 70 $43,610 $43,610 $43,610
BSN 125 $77,875 $77,875 $77,875
FNP 50 $33,950 $33,950 $33,950
Please note that the above cost estimate does not include school fees, books, supplies, etc.You need to allot additional money for that.
If you attend a private, for-profit school, usually the additional cost (besides tuition) is about 10% of the tuition. If you attend a public school or a not-for-profit private school, the additional cost is around 50% of the tuition.

Financial Aid

In 2017-2018 academic year, 98% of Harding University's students received financial aid. Below is the breakdown of the financial aid provided to students.

Students Receiving Aid Average Amount/Student
Pell Grant 26% $4,108
Other Federal Grant 11% $921
State Grant & Scholarships 24% $2,045
Institutional Grant & Scholarships 95% $7,800
Federal Student Loans 57% $6,692
Private Loans 6% $11,298

$19,317

Average Net Price
The average net price is calculated by subtracting the average amount of financial aid received by students from the total cost of attendance.
Average Net Price by Family Income
Less than $30,000$13,442
$30,001 to $48,000$15,576
$48,001 to $75,000$18,208
$75,001 to $110,000$21,566
Over $110,000$21,911

Calculate your net price

Student Population

4,184

Undergrads

1,357

Graduates

3,198

Women

2,343

Men

83%

Full-time

17%

Par-time

Ethnic Diversity
White
82%
Non-resident alien
5%
Black/African American
5%
Hispanic
3%
Two or more races
2%
Asian
1%
Race/ethnicity unknown
0%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0%

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Data source: https://nces.ed.gov (2017-2018 colleges survey) and Arkansas state board of nursing.
Harding University
915 E. Market Ave.
Searcy, AR 72149
Website

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