Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 53.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.6%
- Retention Rate
- 65.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,771
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,711
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 64.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $262/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $77,715 | $61,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,821 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,644 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $41,025 | $25,312 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $41,025 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $41,007 | $22,459 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,424 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,701 | $25,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $32,925 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $26,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,960 | $25,600 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $27,476 |
Outcomes Overview
Hardin-Simmons graduates earn a median of $54,771 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 45% with typical debt of $24,711. Monthly loan payments of $262 consume about 5.7% of median income, below the recommended 10% threshold. The school's Baptist foundation and strong liberal arts programs traditionally funnel graduates into education, ministry, healthcare, and business roles throughout Texas. With 94.93% of students from in-state, most remain in Texas where the cost of living helps stretch earnings further. The 97.1% employment rate demonstrates solid job placement, though the 49.60% six-year graduation rate limits earning potential for many students. Overall, this represents an average return on investment for those who complete their degrees.