Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
81.9% Acceptance Rate
Henderson State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.9%Acceptance Rate
3.23Avg GPA
988Avg SAT
$25,946Annual Cost
$43,459Grad Salary
47.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.9%
Avg GPA
3.23
Avg SAT
988
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
948–1018
Avg Net Price
$16,929
Need-Based Aid
47.7% receive Pell
Henderson State University is a public institution in Arkansas known as "The School with a Heart." A member of the Arkansas State University System, it offers a broad range of academic programs, including recognized leaders in teacher education and aviation. With a focus on personal attention, scholarly activities, and career preparation, the university provides a supportive environment that helps students transition successfully from their studies to impactful professional careers.
Henderson State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Henderson State University is inclusive by design. 81.9% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.23 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.78
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Henderson State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Henderson State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Henderson State University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Henderson State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Henderson State University is 3.23. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.93–3.23 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.43–3.63.Henderson State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.23 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.83 – 3.02
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.82
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Joined the ASU System in 2021; declared financial exigency in March 2022, eliminating 25 academic programs and cutting roughly 100 positions - confirm any specific program's current status directly with the department before applying around it
- R.I.S.E. (Reddie Intervention for Success in Education) is a formal conditional-admission bridge program for applicants with an ACT composite of 16?19
- No minimum SAT/ACT score is formally required; $0 application fee; reporting on test-optional vs. test-blind policy varies by source, so confirm current testing policy directly
- Arkansas state law (Acts 678/1975 and 525/1977) mandates a space-available, in-state tuition waiver for enrolled students aged 60 and older
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Henderson State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Henderson State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Henderson State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Henderson State University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Henderson State University Without SAT or ACT?
Henderson State University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Henderson State University Average SAT Score: 988
Admitted students at Henderson State University average a 988 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 988 — Accessible
A 988 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1018 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Henderson State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 948? A retake is worth it at Henderson State University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 988 | 948 | 1018 |
A score under 948 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1018+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Henderson State University with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in Henderson State University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Henderson State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Henderson State University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Understand the R.I.S.E. Bridge Before Assuming Rejection
An ACT composite of 16?19 doesn't mean automatic denial at Henderson - it triggers conditional admission into R.I.S.E. (Reddie Intervention for Success in Education), a named, structured academic-support bridge program specific to this school. A borderline-scoring student should ask admissions directly about R.I.S.E. requirements and structure rather than assuming a low score forecloses admission or treating it as a vague "you'll get extra help" promise.
Verify the Target Program Survived the 2022 Restructuring
Henderson eliminated 25 academic programs and cut roughly 100 positions during its 2022 financial exigency process. Before building an application narrative around a specific major, email the department chair directly to confirm the program is still offered, fully staffed, and not in teach-out status - this is standard due diligence here, not paranoia, given the documented recent history.
Ask About ASU System Cross-Institution Benefits
Henderson joined the Arkansas State University System in 2021, which has since extended system-wide benefits like an updated Employee Discount of Tuition and Select Fees Policy and shared scholarship funds (e.g., the Broadway Memorial Scholarship, usable across ASU System institutions). Ask admissions specifically how ASU System membership affects transfer, dual-enrollment, or shared-course access with sister campuses - this is a newer, under-publicized structural feature most competing applicants won't think to ask about.
Flag the Age-60+ Tuition Waiver for Non-Traditional Applicants
Arkansas Acts 678 (1975) and 525 (1977) require Henderson to waive general in-state registration fees (space-available) for enrolled students aged 60 or older, who still pay other applicable fees. For a returning or non-traditional student in this age bracket, this is a specific, statutory cost lever worth raising directly with admissions rather than assuming standard tuition rates apply.
Expert Insight:
Published acceptance-rate figures for Henderson vary wildly across sources - from roughly 17% to over 80% - almost certainly reflecting different data years spanning the pre- and post-2022 financial exigency period, plus some figures that may reference a specific graduate or online program rather than the undergraduate institution as a whole. Don't anchor a student's expectations to any single third-party number; confirm current-cycle admission data directly with Henderson's admissions office.
Henderson State University Profile
Full Name
Henderson State University
City
Arkadelphia
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
71999-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Henderson State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Henderson State University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $45,500, and graduates see a 3.29% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Henderson State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $25,946/year at Henderson State University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $16,929.
At Henderson State University, 47.7% receive a Pell Grant and 44.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Henderson State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Henderson State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Henderson State University graduates report a median income of $43,459, about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Henderson State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | 977 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Henderson State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Henderson State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
Degree Programs at Henderson State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Henderson State University Admissions
Henderson State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,459/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Henderson State University is relatively affordable, around $25,946/year.
47.7% of Henderson State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Henderson State University's acceptance rate is 81.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Henderson State University students is 3.23, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.93 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Henderson State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.83 or below makes admission tougher at Henderson State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Henderson State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 988, and within the 948–1018 range, keeps you competitive.
Henderson State University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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