Hardin-Simmons University
- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,771 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,555 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,350,802.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Hardin-Simmons University Matters
Hardin-Simmons University is a private doctoral / professional university in Abilene, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,283
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Education
Why students choose Hardin-Simmons University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1190. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,555 a year after grants and scholarships — 14% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,771 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $24,711 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 54% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 1,280 students, Hardin-Simmons University feels intimate, making it a good fit for those who value personal connections in their education. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Psychology, and Education. If you're looking for a supportive community with a focus on these fields, this might be your place.
When it comes to life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $54,771 within ten years of finishing their degrees. That’s a solid starting point, especially considering the affordable nature of the university. The net price after aid is approximately $19,555, making it accessible for many families. While the graduation rate stands at 48%, it’s important to note that a degree from here can still lead to upward mobility, especially for those who engage fully with the resources available.
In terms of financial outlook, the median debt for graduates is $24,711, which is manageable given the earnings potential. This means that students who thrive here often make the most of the supportive environment and academic offerings. It’s an excellent choice for individuals who are dedicated and seek a balance between personal attention and a strong educational foundation.
Rankings
- #16 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #20 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #26 Best Biology Colleges in Texas
- #26 Best MBA Programs in Texas
- #30 Best Business Colleges in Texas
- #38 Best Bachelor's Programs in Texas
- #38 Best Computer Science Colleges in Texas
- #38 Best Data Science Colleges in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective Hardin-Simmons University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hardin-Simmons University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Abilene, Texas, Hardin-Simmons University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,108. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1108
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 1010–1190
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,035
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 2,314
- Admitted
- 2,042
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hardin-Simmons University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hardin-Simmons University is $32,960, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,555. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,822 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,711 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $32,960
- Out-of-State
- $32,960
- Avg Net Price
- $19,555
- Median Debt
- $24,711
- Pell Grant Rate
- 40%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 82%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,822
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,190
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,248
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,639
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Hardin-Simmons University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Hardin-Simmons University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hardin-Simmons University earn a median of $54,771, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,392
- 8 Years
- $48,639
- 10 Years
- $54,771
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (146)
- 43%
- 100% (146)
- 43%
- 100% (146)
- 43%
- 100% (146)
- 43%
How Hardin-Simmons Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Hardin-Simmons University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Hardin-Simmons University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,555/year ($78,220 total). Graduates earn $54,771 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,429,022 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,350,802 (18.3× your investment). The median debt is $24,711, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $78,220
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,429,022
- Net Return
- $1,350,802
- ROI Multiple
- 18.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,555
- Median Debt
- $24,711
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Hardin-Simmons University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hardin-Simmons University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.39%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 23.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,588
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,093,534
- Investment Income
- $4,064,010
Top Programs
The fields Hardin-Simmons University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $48,746 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $36,992 early-career
- Social Sciences 9%
- Education 8% $48,746 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $79,396 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $42,420 early-career
- Psychology 5% $34,410 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Hardin-Simmons University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hardin-Simmons University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Abilene, Texas, Hardin-Simmons University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,108. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hardin-Simmons University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hardin-Simmons University is $32,960, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,555. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,822 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,711 in federal student loans.
Is Hardin-Simmons University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hardin-Simmons University earn a median of $54,771, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Hardin-Simmons University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hardin-Simmons University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Hardin-Simmons University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hardin-Simmons University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Hardin-Simmons University.
- Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest, IL · Close peer41% grad $54,089 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta, GA · Close peer54% grad $55,232 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD · Close peer62% grad $54,521 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,382 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VA · Close peer51% grad $53,453 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA · Close peer58% grad $56,257 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Hardin-Simmons University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hardin-Simmons University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note