Harding University vs Lyon College
Harding University and Lyon College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Harding, a private Christian university in Searcy, Arkansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate (58%) compared to Lyon's more selective admissions (48%). Lyon, a private liberal arts college in Batesville, Arkansas, excels in the humanities and social sciences, while Harding offers a broader range of programs, including popular majors like nursing, business, and education. Lyon's student body is slightly smaller, fostering a close-knit community, while Harding's larger student body provides a more diverse and vibrant campus life. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Harding's at 63% and Lyon's at 60%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions and determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Harding University |
![]() Lyon College |
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Overview |
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Location | Searcy, Arkansas | Batesville, Arkansas |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Churches of Christ | Presbyterian |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 54.1% | 27.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1050 - 1300 | 1050 - 1195 |
ACT range | 20 - 28 | 21 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 23.0% | 11.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 62.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,200 | 2,444 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,191 | 665 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 748 | 138 |
Yield rate | 62.8% | 20.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $34,538 | $45,494 |
Average net price | $20,533 | $10,537 |
Tuition | $21,690 | $29,450 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,068
Meal plan:
$4,658
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Room/dormitory:
$5,760
Meal plan:
$5,750
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $12,769 |
100.0%
Average amount $22,878 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,607 |
63.0%
Average amount $6,597 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $12,585 |
5.0%
Average amount $8,969 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,684
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
579
Men 59.1% Women 40.9% |
Graduate students |
1,289
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 6.2% | 7.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 2,867 | 589 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.2% | 45.5% |
Dropout rate | 31.7% | 54.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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