Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, Texas · Private Nonprofit · 90.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 51/100 · Below Average Value
Hardin-Simmons University scores 51 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The primary drag is a 46.0% completion rate — fewer than half of students who enroll finish a degree. This is the most significant risk factor the Scorecard data identifies. Median 6-year earnings of $40,200 and an 11-year payback period are modest but not disqualifying on their own. Median debt of $24,711 against $40,200 earnings yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.615. Sticker tuition is $32,960, but net price of $19,555 reflects meaningful aid discounting — particularly for lower-income students, who pay $13,822 in the lowest bracket. The repayment rate of 77.8% at year 3 indicates graduates who do finish are servicing debt adequately. Registered Nursing and Finance are the clear program outliers: nursing graduates earn $90,276 at four years, finance graduates $72,425. Most other programs post D-grade ROIs with debt-to-earnings ratios above 0.700. The institution is a Baptist-affiliated school in Abilene, Texas with 1,283 students and a 90% admission rate.
Hardin-Simmons University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $32,960/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $32,960/yr |
| Average net price | $19,555/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $78,220 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,771 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,711 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $262 |
| Estimated payback period | 11 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 46.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,283 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Hardin-Simmons University is $32,960/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,555/year, or roughly $78,220 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,822/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,639/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,711 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $262 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $54,771 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.61 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,822 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,190 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,248 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,182 |
| $110,001+ | $25,639 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 bracket pay $13,822 per year net — $55,288 over four years, assuming on-time completion. Against $40,200 median 6-year earnings and a 46% completion rate, the effective risk-adjusted cost is much higher when non-completers are factored in. Nursing is the only program where the return at this price tier is clearly defensible.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $17,248 per year. At $68,992 over four years against $40,200 median earnings, the payback period extends to 11 years in aggregate. Program selection matters critically at this income level — students entering nursing or finance will see significantly better outcomes than the institutional average.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $25,639 per year — $102,556 over four years. Against $40,200 median earnings and an 11-year payback, full-pay is a poor financial proposition for most programs. At this price tier, students have access to Texas public universities with stronger outcomes at significantly lower cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 9 most popular majors at Hardin-Simmons University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,560 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $48,112 | C |
| Biology | $52,005 | D |
| Psychology | $47,423 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $51,722 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $90,276 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management | $72,425 | - |
| Teacher Education | $44,023 | - |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,389 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the institution's strongest program, with 14 graduates and $90,276 median earnings at four years. Year-one and debt figures are not reported by the Scorecard. The four-year earnings figure is strong for a regional private institution. This is the clearest value proposition Hardin-Simmons offers, though the small cohort size (14 graduates) limits how representative that figure is.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Subject-specific Teacher Education produced 16 graduates at $48,334 year-one and $51,722 year-four. Median debt of $27,709 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.573 (ROI grade C). The year-one to year-four earnings progression is flat, which is characteristic of teaching careers. Texas teaching salaries at this level generate modest but steady income. The debt load is manageable but real.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration had 39 graduates earning $35,582 at year one and $48,112 at year four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.683 (ROI grade C). At a net price of $19,555 per year and these earnings, the financial case for business at Hardin-Simmons is marginal. Students interested in business careers have access to more affordable public alternatives in Texas with stronger earnings outcomes.
Psychology
Psychology had 24 graduates at $31,503 year-one and $47,423 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.847 (ROI grade D). Nearly $27,000 in median debt against $31,503 year-one earnings creates real financial pressure immediately post-graduation. This is a weak ROI outcome, and students planning graduate school in psychology should factor graduate debt on top of this undergraduate burden.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology produced 40 graduates at $30,789 year-one and $50,560 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.872 (ROI grade D). Year-one earnings of $30,789 against $26,850 median debt is a tight ratio. Most graduates in this field will need post-bacc credentials — physical therapy, athletic training, or teaching certification — to advance meaningfully, adding further cost to an already marginal return.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 71.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 90.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-590 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-600 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-26 |
| Enrollment | 1,283 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 40.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,035 |
At 90% admission rate and ACT 19-26 mid-range, Hardin-Simmons is broadly accessible. Admission is not the risk; completion is. The 46% completion rate suggests that a meaningful share of students who enroll encounter financial, academic, or personal obstacles that prevent degree completion. Prospective students should ask what support structures the institution provides for at-risk students.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include Abilene Christian University, Arlington Baptist University, Avila University, Pacific University, and Concordia University Chicago — a cluster of small, faith-based institutions. Abilene Christian (ACU) is the most directly comparable, sharing a city and faith-based identity. ACU's ROI score and outcomes data would be the most relevant benchmark for prospective students comparing these two Abilene institutions. Among this peer group, Hardin-Simmons' completion rate of 46% is a notable concern.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin-Simmons University (this school) | 51 | $19,555 | $54,771 |
| Pacific University | 52 | $35,273 | $60,583 |
| Avila University | 51 | $16,053 | $52,773 |
| Abilene Christian University | 51 | $26,182 | $55,736 |
| Concordia University-Chicago | 49 | $18,436 | $54,089 |
| Arlington Baptist University | 14 | $24,906 | $44,644 |
Who Thrives Here
Hardin-Simmons enrolls 1,283 students and admits 90% of applicants. SAT mid-range is 500-590 Math and 510-600 Reading; ACT composite 19-26. The Pell grant rate of 40.1% indicates a substantial low-income student population. The institution's Baptist affiliation is a cultural factor relevant to student fit. Students targeting nursing or finance have documented pathways to solid outcomes. Students in most other programs should weigh the 46% completion rate and program-level ROI data before enrolling at this price point.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Hardin-Simmons University is mixed. At $19,555 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $54,771 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include a 46.0% graduation rate.
Median debt of $24,711 against $54,771 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.