September 8, 2010
Harding University hits record enrollment for 24th year
SEARCY, Ark. — Harding University has celebrated a record enrollment for nearly a quarter of a century. This fall, the University welcomes 6,810 students to campus, hitting another milestone for the 24th consecutive year.
The total enrollment represents a three percent increase over last year’s 6,613 students and an 80 percent retention rate. Harding continues to be the largest private university in the state.
Harding President David B. Burks announced the figures Tuesday. “Having 24 years of consecutive growth is a true reflection on the Harding community and our goal to provide an exceptional academic experience with a commitment to the integration of faith, learning and living. We welcome this record number of students to campus and know they’ll soon come to see firsthand why it’s great to be at Harding.”
The total enrollment includes a 2.5 percent increase in undergraduate students to 4,201 on campus this fall. The University welcomed a record 1,216 new freshmen and transfers, and the student body represents 49 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Graduate student enrollment also showed an increase from 2,515 last year to 2,609 students this fall.
Harding expects to again be one of the top schools in the country and among private schools in Arkansas in the enrollment of National Merit Finalists, with 20 new freshman finalists on campus this fall bringing the total number to more than 50.
“Even in the midst of troublesome economic times, students are continuing to enroll at Harding University in record numbers,” said Dr. James W. Carr, Harding executive vice president. “While receiving a world class, Christ-centered education at a cost not much higher than some public institutions, our students are making an investment that will provide lifelong benefits.”
On the heels of the largest freshman enrollment ever at Harding, applications for fall 2011 are up more than 7.5 percent over the same period last year. To date, 728 applications have been received for the fall semester that begins less than a year from now. Acceptances are also running at more than seven percent ahead of last year.
Harding admissions officers have already begun encouraging prospective students to complete their applications as soon as possible to help ensure their place in the 2011 freshman class. The admissions staff anticipates the incoming class to include close to 1,350 students in fall 2011.
Harding is recognized by Peterson’s Competitive Colleges and was ranked for the 17th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report as one of the South’s best universities in the magazine’s annual America’s Best Colleges issue. The University is also recognized annually by Princeton Review as one of the best universities in the Southeast. Harding was ranked 39th among master’s universities nationwide in Washington Monthly magazine’s 2010 college guide.