Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Henderson State University #736 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,022 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Henderson State University in the 53.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Henderson State University #1084 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Henderson State University #736 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University enrolls roughly 1,456 undergraduates. Retention is 61.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 37.3%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where Henderson State University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Henderson State University #1178 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,583. The institution's strength in Health fields — which represent a substantial share of degree output — anchors these outcomes and creates clear pathways into stable, well-compensated careers. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Henderson State University serves a meaningful population of low-income and first-generation students: 46.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.7% are first-generation college students. The institution sits in the 89.2 percentile for access and the 60.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes — how well low-income and first-generation graduates fare in the labor market — place the institution in the 26.7 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For many families seeking a public master's institution with clear economic returns and broad access, Henderson State University offers a reliable path to degree completion and career entry.
Henderson State University's published cost of attendance is $27,385. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $23,386, and middle-income families pay around $25,051. Azimuth ranks Henderson State University #562 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Henderson State's affordability profile reflects its public-institution tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most first-year students receive need-based aid, which helps close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,583, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Henderson State University is a strong fit for students interested in health-related fields who want a public university experience in AR. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $47,583, placing the institution in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $1,022 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Henderson State University in the 53.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 46.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.7% are first-generation. This cohort graduates at a rate of 35.4%, reflecting the university's ability to support students from diverse backgrounds. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors health-related fields, and the earnings trajectory reflects AR's regional labor market. Students whose interests align with health fields and who are comfortable with the regional earnings profile will find Henderson State University a strong option.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Henderson State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
64 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
25 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
63 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
34 graduates
Social Work
15 graduates
Henderson State University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied fields aligned with regional workforce demand. Nursing is the largest program with 64 graduates, followed by Business/Commerce, General, Teacher Education, Psychology, General, and General Studies.
The institution serves 523 students across 25 programs, with 0 meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's focus on Health and professional preparation.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $68,733 four years after enrollment and 64 graduates, followed by Accounting with $62,161 and 25 graduates. Business/Commerce, General graduates earn $48,955, while General Studies and Psychology, General round out the strongest-earning fields with $46,783 and $41,112 respectively.
These outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings capture meaningful labor-market entry and early-career progression. Henderson State University's program concentration in Business (representing 16% of graduates) positions the university as a regional pipeline for health and applied-professional careers.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework shows how these dominant fields align with sustained regional and national workforce demand, particularly in healthcare and related service sectors where Henderson State University maintains strong employer partnerships and placement outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Henderson State University's published cost of attendance is $27,385. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $23,386, and middle-income families pay around $25,051.
Azimuth ranks Henderson State University #562 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Henderson State's affordability profile reflects its public-institution tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Most first-year students receive need-based aid, which helps close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,583, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Henderson State University earn median 4-year earnings of $47,583, placing Henderson State University in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs below the $52,536 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn about $1,022 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Henderson State University in the 53.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes represent lifetime returns relative to AR's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,748 — the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential.
The earnings pattern centers on health and applied fields. Nursing is the largest program with 64 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $68,733, representing 0.8x the national benchmark for the field.
The Business/Commerce, General program graduates 63 students earning $48,955, and the The Teacher Education program graduates 43 students earning $40,226. These programs reflect Henderson State University's concentration in Health fields, which anchor the institution's degree output and connect graduates into stable, in-demand career pathways across Arkansas and the broader region.
