Henderson State University
#9 Best Nursing Colleges in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,459 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $23,405 D+
- 37% more than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,456
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Nursing Colleges in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,041,705.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 38% — 34% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.41% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Henderson State University Matters
Henderson State University is a public university in Arkadelphia, AR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,456
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Transportation
Why students choose Henderson State 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
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,405 a year after grants and scholarships — 37% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,459 ten years after enrolling — 7% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 19% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.15 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Henderson State University serves 1,456 students, with a focus on practical fields like Health Professions, Business, and Education. The graduation rate stands at 38%, highlighting the need for prospective students to consider their support systems and academic readiness.
The earnings for graduates ten years out average $43,459. While specific mobility data is unavailable, the high percentage of Pell Grant recipients (46%) suggests that many students come from low-income backgrounds. This can impact overall outcomes and should be a consideration for those seeking upward mobility through education.
The net price of attending is $23,405, and graduates carry a median debt of $19,500. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing careers in practical fields and who actively engage with campus resources. Understanding financial commitments and career goals is essential for success at Henderson State University.
Rankings
- #9 Best Nursing Colleges in Arkansas
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Arkansas
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
- #14 Best Colleges in Arkansas
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Arkansas
- #14 Best Psychology Colleges in Arkansas
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Arkansas
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas
Can I Get In?
How selective Henderson State 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 Henderson State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Henderson State University enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,442
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 2,345
- Admitted
- 1,657
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 Henderson State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Henderson State University is $10,620, 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 $23,405. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,386 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,244
- Out-of-State
- $10,620
- Avg Net Price
- $23,405
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $23,386
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $23,208
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,051
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Henderson State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Henderson State University report median earnings of $43,459, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,194
- 8 Years
- $39,423
- 10 Years
- $43,459
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (175)
- 23%
- 100% (175)
- 23%
- 100% (175)
- 23%
- 100% (175)
- 23%
How Henderson 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 Henderson State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Henderson State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,405/year ($93,620 total). Graduates earn $43,459 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,135,325 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,041,705 (12.1× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $93,620
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,135,325
- Net Return
- $1,041,705
- ROI Multiple
- 12.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,405
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
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 Henderson State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Henderson State 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 2.41%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.41%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $63,900
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,237,655
- Investment Income
- $69,112
Top Programs
The fields Henderson State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 27%
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Education 12%
- Transportation 7%
- Psychology 7%
- Humanities 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Henderson State 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 Henderson State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Henderson State University enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Henderson State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Henderson State University is $10,620, 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 $23,405. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,386 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is Henderson State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Henderson State University report median earnings of $43,459, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Henderson State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Henderson State 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 2.41%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Henderson State 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 Henderson State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Henderson State University.
- Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX · Close peer39% grad $46,238 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte, NC · Close peer34% grad $42,680 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL · Close peer38% grad $43,457 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, AL · Close peer47% grad $42,488 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of DubuqueDubuque, IA · Close peer41% grad $51,190 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Indiana Institute of TechnologyFort Wayne, IN · Close peer38% grad $47,327 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Henderson State 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 Henderson State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note