Henderson State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Henderson State University is a public research university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, enrolling about 1,456 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 81.92% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $43,459 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,244
- 2024 Average Net Price: $23,405 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 81.92% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,456 91.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 37.34%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 37.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 4.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average ACT Score: 21
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,648
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,814
- Room & Board: $10,000 annual estimate
Henderson State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Henderson State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Henderson State University?
Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (ZIP 71999-0001).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Henderson State University public or private?
Henderson State University is a Public institution.
How much does Henderson State University cost?
Published tuition: $8,244 in-state, $10,620 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $23,405.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $23,386 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $23,208 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $25,051 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $32,976.
How hard is it to get into Henderson State University?
Admission rate: 81.92%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Henderson State University?
Total enrollment: 1,456 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,648 students.
Graduate enrollment: 594 students.
About 91% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Henderson State University?
150%-time completion rate: 37.34%.
First-year retention: 61.7%.
What do graduates of Henderson State University earn?
Median earnings: $35,194 six years after entry; $43,459 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
46.22% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Henderson State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business/Commerce, General (117 completions)
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs (85 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (53 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (39 completions)
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor (32 completions)
- Psychology, General (31 completions)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other (30 completions)
- Public Health, Other (29 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (28 completions)
- General Studies (28 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Henderson State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 81.92%; completion rate 37.34%; median earnings $43,459 at 10 years; net price $23,405. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,244
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Henderson State University was $8,244.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$23,405
2024 Value
In 2024 Henderson State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,405.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$93,620 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$23,405 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$32,976 4-Year In-State Tuition
$42,480 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,000 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$2,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$20,744 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$82,976 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Henderson State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
46.22% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
44.47% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Henderson State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Henderson State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,580 | $13,700 | $8,049 |
| 2014 | $7,860 | $14,220 | $9,716 |
| 2015 | $8,100 | $14,700 | $9,937 |
| 2016 | $8,340 | $15,180 | $14,564 |
| 2017 | $8,530 | $10,180 | $15,357 |
| 2018 | $8,530 | $10,180 | $13,473 |
| 2019 | $8,902 | $10,612 | $10,270 |
| 2020 | $7,392 | $9,312 | $14,902 |
| 2021 | $7,560 | $9,768 | $16,696 |
| 2022 | $7,560 | $9,768 | $18,465 |
| 2023 | $7,885 | $9,882 | $17,574 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
81.92% Acceptance Rate
1,814 Total Applicants
1,486 Students Admitted
306 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.59% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Henderson State University reported total enrollment of about 1,456 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 48% male and 52% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (54.0%), Black or African American (34.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.1%). About 46.22% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 37.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Henderson State University in 2024 is 1,456 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,648 students. Graduate enrollment is about 594 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
61.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 54.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
27.23% 100% Completion Time
37.34% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 27.23% of students graduating from Henderson State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business/Commerce, General: 57% male / 43% female
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs: 11% male / 89% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 6% male / 94% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Henderson State University.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$43,459 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
44.87% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
364.21% Return on Investment
4.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Henderson State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 57 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business/Commerce, General: 117 completions
2. Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs: 85 completions
3. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 53 completions
4. Health Professions and Related Programs: 39 completions
5. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor: 32 completions
6. Psychology, General: 31 completions
7. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 30 completions
8. Public Health, Other: 29 completions
9. Elementary Education and Teaching: 28 completions
Most popular programs at Henderson State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Henderson State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Henderson State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,442
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,374
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Henderson State University is a public institution located in Arkadelphia, AR, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business/Commerce, General, Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Enrollment is approximately 1,456 students. Student body composition includes White (54.0%), Black or African American (34.2%), Hispanic or Latino (4.1%). The admission rate is 81.92%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 21. The 150%-time completion rate is 37.34%. Approximately 46.22% of students receive Pell Grants. About 37.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 37.34% graduation rate at Henderson State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 57 distinct degree programs, Henderson State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Henderson State University located?
Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR.
What is Henderson State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Henderson State University is 81.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,814 applicants and 1,486 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Henderson State University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,244 and average net price is $23,405 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,000 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Henderson State University?
Henderson State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,648 students, White (54.0%), Black or African American (34.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Henderson State University?
About 37.7% of students at Henderson State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Henderson State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Henderson State University reports midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Henderson State University earn?
Median earnings are $35,194 six years after entry and $43,459 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Henderson State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 37.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Henderson State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is Henderson State University public or private?
Henderson State University is a public institution located in Arkadelphia, AR.
Is Henderson State University an HBCU?
No. Henderson State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Henderson State University a tribal college?
No. Henderson State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Arkansas college costs
- Arkansas colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Arkansas
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.