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Harding University

College · Catholic life on campus

Harding University

  • LocationSearcy, AR
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 4,608 students

Affiliation: Churches of Christ

Official website

Harding University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Harding University students are served by the Catholic Campus Ministry, which is run through St. James Catholic Church on Pioneer Road in Searcy. The Diocese of Little Rock lists Harding among its campus ministry locations. The parish schedules weekday Masses on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, a Saturday vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, and weekly confession. The campus ministry page names a primary contact and states an aim of Mass, social events, retreats, and service projects.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 9

  • Saturday5:30 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · Vigil Mass.
  • Sunday9:00 AMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · English Mass.
  • Sunday11:30 AMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · Spanish Mass.
  • Tuesday12:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy
  • Wednesday6:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy
  • Thursday12:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · English Mass.
Show 3 more mass times
  • Thursday7:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · Spanish Mass.
  • Friday12:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy
  • Friday9:00 AMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · First Fridays only.

Confession 3

  • Sunday8:00 AMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · 8:00-8:45 AM.
  • Wednesday5:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · 5:00-5:45 PM. Also by appointment.
  • Thursday6:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · 6:00-6:45 PM. Also by appointment.

Adoration 3

  • Thursday6:00 PMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · 6:00-6:45 PM.
  • Friday11:00 AMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · 11:00 AM to noon.
  • Friday10:00 AMSt. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy · First Fridays, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 14, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
    The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
    “Sun. 8 - 8:45 a.m.; Wed. 5 - 5:45 p.m.; Thurs. 6 - 6:45 p.m. or by appointment”
    The parish lists weekly confession on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and by appointment.
    “Sun. 8 - 8:45 a.m.; Wed. 5 - 5:45 p.m.; Thurs. 6 - 6:45 p.m. or by appointment”
    The parish lists weekly confession on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and by appointment.
    “Sun. 8 - 8:45 a.m.; Wed. 5 - 5:45 p.m.; Thurs. 6 - 6:45 p.m. or by appointment”
    The parish lists weekly confession on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and by appointment.
    “Thu. | 6 - 6:45 p.m. | Fri. | 11 a.m. - noon; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (First Friday)”
    The parish lists eucharistic adoration on Thursday evening and Friday, with extended hours on first Fridays.
    “Thu. | 6 - 6:45 p.m. | Fri. | 11 a.m. - noon; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (First Friday)”
    The parish lists eucharistic adoration on Thursday evening and Friday, with extended hours on first Fridays.
    “Thu. | 6 - 6:45 p.m. | Fri. | 11 a.m. - noon; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (First Friday)”
    The parish lists eucharistic adoration on Thursday evening and Friday, with extended hours on first Fridays.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Harding University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint James Catholic Church: 1.2 mi1St. James Catholic Church (Catholic Campus Ministry): 1.2 miHarding University (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint James Catholic Church — 1.2 mi · 1102 Pioneer Road, Searcy

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BCatholic life on campus: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

75 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The Diocese of Little Rock lists Harding University in Searcy among its campus ministry locations, and the parish's campus ministry page names a primary contact person.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Catholic Campus Ministries | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/campus-ministry/locations · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas State University at Beebe”
      The Diocese of Little Rock lists Harding University in Searcy among the campuses with a Catholic Campus Ministry program.
    2. Catholic Campus Ministry | St. James Catholic Churchstjamessearcycatholicchurch.com/catholic-campus-ministry · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Primary Contact Person: Yolanda Garcia”
      The parish's Catholic Campus Ministry page names Yolanda Garcia as primary contact person.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The campus ministry is run through St. James parish. Its pastor, Fr. Nelson Jesus Rubio Villalobos, is named.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Pastor: Fr. Nelson Jesús Rubio Villalobos”
      Fr. Nelson Jesús Rubio Villalobos is listed as pastor of St. James Church, Searcy.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Masses at St. James Church on Tuesday (noon), Wednesday (6 PM), Thursday (noon and 7 PM Spanish), and Friday (noon; 9 AM on first Fridays). The parish church is treated as the ministry's center because the campus ministry runs through the parish.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
      The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Saturday vigil Mass at 5:30 PM and Sunday Masses at 9 AM (English) and 11:30 AM (Spanish) at St. James Church.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
      The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession on Sunday 8:00-8:45 AM, Wednesday 5:00-5:45 PM, and Thursday 6:00-6:45 PM, or by appointment.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Sun. 8 - 8:45 a.m.; Wed. 5 - 5:45 p.m.; Thurs. 6 - 6:45 p.m. or by appointment”
      The parish lists weekly confession on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and by appointment.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (15 weekly times documented: 9 Mass, 3 confession, 3 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • The diocese lists Harding University among its campus ministry locations, with a primary contact person named on the parish's campus ministry page.
    Sources (2)
    1. Catholic Campus Ministries | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/campus-ministry/locations · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas State University at Beebe”
      The Diocese of Little Rock lists Harding University in Searcy among the campuses with a Catholic Campus Ministry program.
    2. Catholic Campus Ministry | St. James Catholic Churchstjamessearcycatholicchurch.com/catholic-campus-ministry · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Primary Contact Person: Yolanda Garcia”
      The parish's Catholic Campus Ministry page names Yolanda Garcia as primary contact person.
  • The parish schedules Masses on weekdays, a Saturday vigil, and two Sundays, plus weekly confession.
    Sources (1)
    1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Sat. | Vigil 5:30 p.m. | Sun. | 9 a.m. (English); 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) | Tues. | Noon | Wed. | 6 p.m. | Thu. | Noon (English); 7 p.m. (Spanish) | Fri. | 9 a.m. (First Friday), Noon”
      The parish's Mass schedule lists a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
      “Sun. 8 - 8:45 a.m.; Wed. 5 - 5:45 p.m.; Thurs. 6 - 6:45 p.m. or by appointment”
      The parish lists weekly confession on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and by appointment.

Concerns

  • The pastor of the parish is the only priest named.
    Sources (2)
    1. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Pastor: Fr. Nelson Jesús Rubio Villalobos”
      Fr. Nelson Jesús Rubio Villalobos is listed as pastor of St. James Church, Searcy.
    2. Catholic Campus Ministry | St. James Catholic Churchstjamessearcycatholicchurch.com/catholic-campus-ministry · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Primary Contact Person: Yolanda Garcia”
      The parish's Catholic Campus Ministry page names Yolanda Garcia as primary contact person.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. James Catholic Church (Catholic Campus Ministry)

  • Address: 1102 Pioneer Rd., Searcy, AR 72143
  • Distance from campus: 1.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: church

View on map ↗

Source: dolr.org, verified Oct. 14, 2026, stjamessearcycatholicchurch.com, verified Oct. 14, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

1 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 1 location not published

Other 1

  • Catholic Campus Ministry programming
    The campus ministry page states an aim to build a student community through Mass, social events, retreats, and service projects.
    stjamessearcycatholicchurch.com

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Catholic Campus Ministries | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/campus-ministry/locations · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas State University at Beebe”
    The Diocese of Little Rock lists Harding University in Searcy among the campuses with a Catholic Campus Ministry program.
  2. Catholic Campus Ministry | St. James Catholic Churchstjamessearcycatholicchurch.com/catholic-campus-ministry · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “Primary Contact Person: Yolanda Garcia”
    The parish's Catholic Campus Ministry page names Yolanda Garcia as primary contact person.
    “Primary Contact Person: Yolanda Garcia”
    The parish's Catholic Campus Ministry page names Yolanda Garcia as primary contact person.
  3. St. James Church - Searcy | Diocese of Little Rockdolr.org/parishes/st-james-church-searcy · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “1102 Pioneer Rd. Searcy AR 72143”
    St. James Church is located at 1102 Pioneer Road, Searcy, AR 72143.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
74 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.69%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.86%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,182 · ACT 24.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.13 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$11,670

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Campus facts

SportsNCAA Division II · Great American Conference
SettingTown
ROTCArmy
Study abroadOffered
Students per faculty member13 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS). None of this changes the faith grades.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
3,496
Total students4,608
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$22,130
Cost of attendance (per year)$39,534
Median federal debt at graduation$26,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
69%
First-year retention86%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$52,876
Admission rate71%
Students receiving Pell grants24%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1182
SAT reading & writing530–660
SAT math520–630
ACT composite20–29
Test policyRequired

Value index: 51 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Catholic Diocese of Little Rock

The Most Reverend Anthony B. Taylor, Bishop of Little Rock

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dolr.org, dolr.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Harding University a Catholic college?
No. Harding University is not a Catholic college. Its listed religious affiliation is Churches of Christ. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Campus Ministry (St. James Catholic Church, Searcy).
What is Harding University’s Catholic Life Score?
75 out of 100 (grade B). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Harding University?
Mass is listed at St. James Church, 1102 Pioneer Rd. and Searcy. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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