Lesley University vs Hardin-Simmons University

Lesley University and Hardin-Simmons University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Lesley University is more selective with a 94.4% acceptance rate compared to Hardin-Simmons University's 96.5%.

Cost: Hardin-Simmons University offers a lower average net price at $21,031, which is $10,774 less than Lesley University ($31,805). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Hardin-Simmons University earn a median salary of $54,771 ten years after enrollment, which is $3,598 more than Lesley University graduates ($51,173).

Graduation: Lesley University leads with a 61.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 76.9% vs 65.3%.

Campus Size: Hardin-Simmons University is the larger campus with 1,275 total students, while Lesley University has 1,252.

Bottom Line: Hardin-Simmons University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.