Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001
About Henderson State University
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 findings
- Henderson State University charges 50% above the national public median tuition ($8,244).
- Versus the Arkansas median, sticker tuition is 12% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 37.34%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $43,459.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Henderson State University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 364% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
Henderson State University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 57 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson State University | $8,244 | $23,405 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Arkansas (state median) | $7,334 | $9,144 | 51 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Henderson State University really?
Key findings
- Henderson State University charges 50% above the national public median tuition ($8,244).
- Versus the Arkansas median, sticker tuition is 12% above.
Henderson State University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,244
Finding Henderson State University charges 50% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,244. That is 50% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Arkansas median ($7,334), sticker tuition is 12% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 31% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Henderson State University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Henderson State University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Henderson State University is $23,405.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $23,405 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $14,261 above the Arkansas median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $8,434 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Henderson State University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Henderson State University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Henderson State University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$8,244
Out-of-state tuition
$10,620
Avg. net price
$23,405
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $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. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Henderson State University is known for
Top program completions
- Business/Commerce, General117
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs85
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse53
- Health Professions and Related Programs39
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor32
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 21% of admitted students enrolled.
- Midpoint ACT: 21
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Henderson State University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Henderson State University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Henderson State University.
Campus
Location
Arkadelphia, AR
City / state
- ZIP
- 71999-0001
- NCES locale
- Town distant
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 56% above the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Size
Enrollment
1,456
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,648
- Graduate
- 594
- Full-time share
- 91%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$19,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 46.22%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Henderson State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
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.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Midpoint 21 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
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
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
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
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Henderson State University graduates earn a median of $43,459 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Henderson State University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $43,459. Median federal loan debt: $19,500. Average net price used in cost models: $23,405.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Henderson State University graduates report median earnings of $43,459 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Henderson State University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (57 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Henderson State University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Henderson State University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Henderson State University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$26.4M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Arkansas median 4.1× the median ($6.5M)
- Southeast median 1.4× the median ($19.4M)
- U.S. median near the median ($26.4M)
- Arkansas median 1.6× the median ($7,616)
- Southeast median 1.3× the median ($9,308)
- U.S. median near the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Arkansas median 37.2 pp above median (62.8%)
- Southeast median 40.6 pp above median (59.4%)
- U.S. median 42.0 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $6,442
- Arkansas median 1.2× the median ($5,571)
- Southeast median 0.94× the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 0.85× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,374
- Arkansas median near the median ($6,294)
- Southeast median near the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 0.87× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Henderson State University at a glance
Henderson State University
Henderson State University is a public institution in Arkadelphia, AR, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business/Commerce, GeneralEducation/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education ProgramsRegistered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian54.0%Black or African American34.2%Hispanic or Latino4.1%
Schools near Henderson State University
Other campuses in Arkadelphia, AR when available, plus nearby institutions in Arkansas.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Arkansas, then by similar ownership and admissions.
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.
What is Henderson State University's tuition?
Henderson State University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,244 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $23,405 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
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 explains Henderson State University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($23,405), completion (37.3% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($43,459). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
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.
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
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 Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.