Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, Texas
“You were born for great things. Discover them at HSU.”
Academic excellence persists as a priority at Hardin-Simmons University, as it has for more than a century. Small classes taught by experienced scholars give the opportunity for interactive learning. The institution’s commitment to excellence is best illustrated through the lives of graduates who traditionally excel in any career they choose.
Hardin-Simmons is a private, co-educational university located in Abilene, Texas. It was established in 1891 and is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Hardin-Simmons University is accredited by The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
HSU’s specific programs have been accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas, Texas Board for Educator Certification, and many others.
Get to know Hardin-Simmons University
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Concert band
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Jazz band
- Literary magazine
- Marching band
- Model UN
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Opera
- Student government
- Student newspaper
- Symphony orchestra
- Yearbook
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Common Intellectual Experiences
- Learning Communities
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Diversity/Global Learning
- Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practica
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Faculty Mentors
- Disability Services
- Health Services
- Peer Mentors
- Counseling
College Highlights
From the world-famous Cowboy Band and Six White Horses to a vibrant campus ministry, students are constantly involved. When not partaking in their studies, they are sure to be involved in a number of extracurricular activities.
THE OLSEN HONORS PROGRAM
The Olsen Honors Program, which is named for former HSU professor Dr. Julius Olsen, serves as an integral part of the academic community. The program includes courses taught by selected faculty members interested in working with highly motivated students. This Honors Program expects participants to strive for excellence and assume personal accountability for their intellectual growth, encouraging all to engage more actively in pursuing knowledge, discussing ideas, and challenging themselves to grow intellectually and spiritually.
THE LEADERSHIP STUDIES PROGRAM
The Leadership Studies Program at Hardin-Simmons University is a unique initiative devoted to the development of tomorrow’s Christian leaders. Working with area nonprofits, leadership students implement and practice the concepts they study in the classroom by creating and performing service projects that meet real community needs. It’s through such engaging projects as the Leadership Studies Program that HSU students learn both in and out of the classroom.
HSU INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
HSU International Studies supports international academic programs to foster an understanding of the global community, serving students, faculty, and their departments through the development and implementation of quality international academic experiences. Study abroad programs at HSU vary in length from a full academic year to four weeks during the summer. At present, HSU has study programs in London, England; Salzburg, Austria; Florence, Italy; and many other destinations.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
HSU has welcomed international students from more than 40 countries. The Global Engagement office helps to develop a diversified community of servant-scholars who are invested in engaging minds and nurturing spirits. The office strives to create Christian world leaders by introducing cultural diversity and enriching students, faculty, and staff alike with a global mindset. International affairs helps to develop, engage, and empower international students to reach success.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 106 | 10-19: 98 | 20-29: 72
30-39: 22 | 40-49: 12 | 50-99: 5 | 100+: 0
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 4%
Hispanic/Latinx: 21%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 12%
White, non-Hispanic: 56%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%
Academic excellence continues to be a priority at Hardin-Simmons University—as it has for more than a century. The foundational curriculum involves students in a broad range of inquiry-related general studies alongside whatever requirements are included with a student’s chosen major. Small classes taught by experienced scholars ensure a campus-wide culture of interactive learning.
THE ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER
The Academic Advising Center at HSU serves the needs of undeclared undergraduate students, non-degree students, transfer students who do not have a major, and anyone considering a change of their field of study. Prepared to make each student’s college career proceed as smoothly as possible, the Center is available to help students understand HSU’s general core requirements, how best to schedule classes, and their overall goals and options. The Center works in cooperation with the Office of Career Services to give one-on-one guidance and support throughout every step of the major-changing process.
MAJORS
HSU offers more than fifty majors through its Colleges of Liberal Arts and Business as well as its Schools of Education, Music, Nursing, Theology, and Sciences and Mathematics. There are also several available undergraduate programs that lead to one of eight master’s degrees through the University’s Graduate School.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Hardin-Simmons University has one of the newest Physician’s Assistant programs in the state. Students in this program are prepared to enter the medical field as exceptional medical professionals who are ready to work in any context. HSU students have a particularly unique experience, as the University maintains a close connection with the Hendrick Medical Center and surrounding rural communities.
FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS
Designed especially for first-semester freshmen, “First-Year Seminar: Gateway” is true to its name as the academic gateway to HSU’s Christian liberal arts experience. This theme-based seminar offers incoming students the opportunity to dig into the topic of their choice while exploring their personal strengths and experiencing the intersection of faith and learning. Academic and social connections made in this seminar make it easy for students to begin building a support system for their entire HSU experience.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
Founded in 1891, Hardin-Simmons is a place where relationships really matter. Complementing its warmth of family and community is the vitality of an academic offering of more than 50 major and minor programs.
STUDENT LIFE
Student Life is a robust program that provides students with opportunities for meaningful engagement and transformation within the co-curricular context. HSU hosts a thriving student body that is highly involved in various clubs and organizations. Whether in a special interest group, a Greek social club, an academic club, or an Intramural team, involvement in any group is what makes HSU students’ experience the best it can be. It’s great to see students get involved!
STAMPEDE WEEK
Stampede Week, intended for new students, is designed to help make a smooth and comfortable transition from high school to HSU. This is a great opportunity to learn about the University’s traditions, make life-long friendships, and participate in fun and exciting activities. It’s the perfect way for freshmen to start their memorable years at HSU. New students are placed in teams led by two upperclassmen who help them learn about Hardin-Simmons University’s policies, procedures, and traditions. By the time classes start, new students are already part of life at HSU.
LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
While living on campus is one of the best decisions an HSU student can make, the Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) are extra “communities within a community” that prove to be a great way to get to know people faster! Nationwide, LLCs have been shown to assist students both academically and socially, leading to higher GPAs, more connections to the larger campus community, and higher retention rates than their peers. They are an ideal way to connect the academic experience to life on campus as a whole.
A DYNAMIC PLACE TO BE
As a leading education center, Hardin-Simmons is often described as “an oasis” with lush grounds, a duck-filled pond, and stately red-brick buildings. HSU is a place of higher learning that warmly opens its doors to students seeking a Christian liberal arts education within a supportive and spiritual community.
Blend an old West town and a modern, medium-sized city, then throw in a good dose of hospitality as well as a large helping of recreation, and you have Abilene, Texas. Abilene, listed as a top-10 tourist destination in Texas, is located near the geographic center of Texas. It offers many things to see and do, including:
- The Abilene Country Club
- Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra
- Abilene State Park
- Abilene Zoo and Discovery Center
- Buffalo Gap Historic Village
- Center for Contemporary Arts
- Century Theaters
- Dyess Linear Air Park
- Fort Phantom Hill
- Grace Museum Cultural Center
- Mall of Abilene
- Frontier Texas Museum
- National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
- The historic Paramount Theater
ATHLETICS
NCAA Division III, American Southwest Conference
16 varsity sports
8 men’s: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field
8 women’s: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball
Hardin-Simmons also has a coed cheerleading squad and a women’s competitive dance team, 3 club sports, 5 major intramural sports, and a variety of minor intramural sports.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 83%
Campus housing options.
Men’s dorms
Women’s dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Single & duplex housing, with priority given to families
Hardin-Simmons’ commitment to excellence is best illustrated through the lives of its graduates who have excelled in a wide variety of fields.
CAREER SERVICES
Career Services at HSU provides students and alumni with the tools they need to enhance their opportunities and prepare to be Christian leaders in their career fields. HSU Career Services assists students with obtaining internships, fine-tuning résumés, and finding jobs.
RANGE RIDER
Mailed two times per year, the Range Rider university magazine is edited, produced, and distributed by the Alumni and Marketing departments. Each issue includes various featured stories, University updates, and the ever-popular “Family News” alumni update section.
PRODUCING WORLD-READY PEOPLE
Many students from Hardin-Simmons have gone on to become leading doctors, scientists, business leaders, actors, and athletes. Just a few alumni include:
- Conrad Lam (pioneer in heart bypass surgery)
- Willis Whitfield (inventor of the “clean room” concept, which made modern microelectronics possible)
- Dr. Cristel V. Camacho (cancer research scientist)
- Dean Nolen (drama desk award winner, TV show Law and Order)
- Dan Blocker (TV show Bonanza)
- Fess Parker (played Daniel Boone on TV)
- Ms. Tina M. (Hendrix) Schiel (marketing business executive)
- Stedman Graham (motivational speaker and founder of Athletes Against Drugs)
- Clyde “Bulldog” Turner (Pro Football Hall of Fame player for the Chicago Bears)
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA | Standardized test scores
Considered
Class rank | Recommendation(s) | Extracurricular activities | Character/personal qualities
First generation | Volunteer work | Work experience
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Composite
25th Percentile: 970 | 75th Percentile: 1160
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 490 | 75th Percentile: 590
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 480 | 75th Percentile: 580
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 18 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT English
25th Percentile: 15 | 75th Percentile: 22
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $30,694
Fees: $992
Room: $5,060
Board: $5,333
Aid
Hardin-Simmons University, a private liberal arts university, offers students an education that is enlightened by Christian faith and values. Hardin-Simmons is more than just a school; it’s family. With a 15:1 student to faculty ratio, students receive personal attention in any one of over 65 fields of study.
One of the unique attractions to Hardin-Simmons is the Texas Scholarship, which automatically awards every student who graduates from a Texas high school a $48,000 scholarship to study at HSU. This scholarship, paid out over the course of four years, provides many students who may not otherwise have the opportunity the chance to experience a small, private, Christian liberal arts education.
Even if a student is not from Texas, they still have the chance to experience a private Christian education at HSU. Overall, 98% of students receive scholarship aid when they come to HSU. HSU staff work with every student to make this dynamic education a reality.
Contact Hardin-Simmons University
Contact Admissions
www.hsutx.edu/admissions/undergraduate
(877) 464-7889
Campus Location
2200 Hickory Street
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 670-1000