Harding University

What Harding University does

Harding University is a private, nonprofit Christian liberal arts institution founded in 1924 and headquartered in Searcy, Arkansas. It operates a multi-college structure spanning Bible and Ministry, Business Administration, Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Arts and Sciences, Allied Health, and an Honors College, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs alongside online and dual-enrollment options. The university serves a diversified student base that includes traditional undergraduates, graduate and professional students, study-abroad participants across six international sites (including programs in Greece, Italy, Zambia, and Peru), and a senior-adult outreach ministry called Abundant Living. Affiliated operating units include Harding Academy (a college-preparatory school), Harding School of Theology (graduate theological education), and Abundant Living (a magazine, retreat, and travel program reaching Christian seniors in more than 30 states).

The university's revenue model is a hybrid of tuition and fees (including online and international study-abroad tuition), philanthropic grants and gifts (with a tiered President's Council giving program ranging from $600 to $15,000+ annually), federal grant funding (e.g., the U.S. Department of Education-funded Upward Bound program serving 65 high school students in White and Woodruff counties), and subscription-based auxiliary revenue such as the Abundant Living quarterly magazine ($25/year individual subscription) and paid alumni travel and retreat packages priced from $300 to $3,400 per participant. Distribution is conducted through on-campus residential programs in Searcy, self-serve online degree delivery, six global study-abroad sites, and consumer-direct subscription and event channels. Capital expansion is funded through named endowment and capital campaigns, including an $8.5 million Harding School of Theology Library Addition project.

The institution is governed by an independent board of trustees with no parent company or external ownership, operates a Chief Growth and Strategy Officer function, and reports a 91% post-graduate outcome rate within six months, a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, and an average class size of 22 as its principal outcome metrics. Marketing channels span the official website, a twice-yearly Harding Magazine with 50,000 circulation to alumni, a dedicated news site, organic social media, campus visit programs, community outreach (Upward Bound), and a distinguished lecture series through the American Studies Institute.

Name

Harding University

Legal name

Harding University, Inc.

Website

https://harding.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Harding University is a private, nonprofit Christian liberal arts university in Searcy, Arkansas, founded in 1924, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across multiple colleges, plus online, international study-abroad at six global sites, and senior-adult outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Alumni Communications, Marketing & Publications (EDALAOAF), Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Liberal arts education
• Graduate degree programs
• Online learning programs
• Study abroad programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Searcy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, including online programs and international study abroad programs.
2. Grants and Gifts: Harding University receives grants from foundations like Lilly Endowment and donations from alumni, supporters, and organizations through the President's Council and other giving programs.
3. Abundant Living Magazine Subscriptions: Magazine subscription revenue targeting Christian seniors aged 55+, published quarterly with readership across more than 30 states.
4. Campus Projects and Endowments: Capital campaigns for campus development including the Harding School of Theology Library Addition ($8.5 million project), Holland-Waller Center, Track and Football Field Renovations, and various named endowment funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Harding University is a private Christian liberal arts university delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across colleges including Bible and Ministry, Business Administration, Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Arts and Sciences, and Allied Health. The institution supports instruction through on-campus residential programs at its Searcy, Arkansas campus, fully online degree pathways, and six international study abroad program sites (Greece, Italy, Zambia, Peru, and others). Auxiliary service lines include Harding Academy (K-12 college-preparatory school), the Harding School of Theology, and the Abundant Living senior-adult outreach program offering a quarterly magazine, annual retreats, and group travel.

Product overview

Harding University is a Christian liberal arts institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple colleges including Bible and Ministry, Business Administration, Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Allied Health. The university also operates international programs (HUG-Greece, HUF-Italy, HIZ-Zambia, HULA-Peru), provides student support services through the Academic Resource Center (tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic coaching), and maintains alumni engagement programs including Abundant Living for seniors. As a higher education institution rather than a technology product company, Harding University does not operate a software product platform with modules or add-ons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Four-year Christ-centered liberal arts undergraduate degree programs delivered on the Searcy, Arkansas campus across multiple colleges including Arts and Sciences, Bible and Ministry, Business Administration, Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Allied Health, and Honors.
• Graduate and Professional Degree Programs Master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs spanning business, education, counseling, nursing, pharmacy, and theology, available to working professionals and post-baccalaureate students.
• Online Degree Programs Fully online degree programs and courses enabling remote learners to complete undergraduate and graduate credentials without on-campus attendance.
• International Study Abroad Programs Study abroad programs at six international sites including Harding University in Greece (HUG), Florence Italy (HUF), Zambia (HIZ), and Peru (HULA), offering cross-cultural academic experiences.
• Harding Academy College preparatory private Christian K-12 school operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary, serving students from preschool through high school with a faith-based curriculum.
• Abundant Living Magazine Subscription Quarterly magazine subscription for Christian seniors aged 55+ featuring devotional content, spiritual encouragement, and community news, delivered across more than 30 states at $25/year individual or $22/year for groups of 10+.
• Abundant Living Retreats and Group Tours Annual faith-based retreats in Branson, Missouri and group travel tours (e.g., Lighthouses of Maine 2026) for Abundant Living subscribers and Christian seniors, with per-person registration fees and hotel packages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of graduates have recognized professional outcomes within six months of graduating
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Thousand Hills Resort HotelminorOthersPartnership with Thousand Hills Resort Hotel in Branson, MO for Abundant Living annual retreats. Hotel provides discounted room rate of $115/night with breakfast included for retreat attendees.
• Sunset International Bible InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Abundant Living program serving retirement-age Christians with spiritual content and resources.
• World Bible School (WBS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Abundant Living program providing biblical education resources to Christian seniors.
• Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor partner of Abundant Living program serving communities in need through Christian outreach.
• Children's Homes, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Abundant Living program supporting children and families through Christian charitable work.

Scale indicators6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Abilene Christian University: Abilene Christian University is a private Church of Christ-affiliated university in Abilene, Texas offering undergraduate and graduate programs with similar faith-based liberal arts positioning. It is the closest direct peer to Harding given shared religious affiliation, program mix, and regional scale.
• Lipscomb University: Lipscomb University is a private Church of Christ-affiliated university in Nashville, Tennessee with undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It is highly comparable to Harding on denominational affiliation, program portfolio including pharmacy and education, and similar mid-sized private university profile.
• Oklahoma Christian University: Oklahoma Christian University is a Church of Christ-affiliated private university in Oklahoma City offering liberal arts and professional programs. Comparable to Harding on faith affiliation, undergraduate focus, and small-class educational model.
• Lubbock Christian University: Lubbock Christian University is a Church of Christ-affiliated private liberal arts university in Lubbock, Texas. Closely matches Harding on denominational affiliation, residential liberal arts model, and similar regional private university scale.
• Freed-Hardeman University: Freed-Hardeman University is a Church of Christ-affiliated private university in Henderson, Tennessee offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Shares Harding's faith affiliation, small-class educational approach, and similar undergraduate-focused mission.
• Faulkner University: Faulkner University is a Church of Christ-affiliated private university in Montgomery, Alabama offering liberal arts and professional programs. Directly comparable to Harding on religious affiliation, program mix, and regional private university footprint.
• Wheaton College: Wheaton College is a faith-affiliated private liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois with strong graduate outcomes and small class sizes. Comparable to Harding on faith-based liberal arts positioning, residential model, and outcome-driven reputation.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Liberty University is a large private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia with extensive online programs and broad faith-based curriculum. Comparable to Harding on faith-based positioning but operates at much larger scale with nationally recognized brand.
• Baylor University: Baylor University is a large Baptist-affiliated private research university in Waco, Texas with extensive graduate and professional programs. Comparable to Harding on faith-based private university positioning but at substantially larger scale with research university status.
• Pepperdine University: Pepperdine University is a Church of Christ-affiliated private university in Malibu, California with strong undergraduate programs and Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Shares Harding's Church of Christ heritage and faith-based mission but operates at larger scale on the West Coast.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HardingU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEjQxzUOgSrGy3AgfDWavpg
• Facebookfacebook.com/31161536657
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harding-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/hardinguniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harding University