Peter's Hidden Gem Series #3: Hardin-Simmons University (TX)

FACTS ABOUT HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY

Hardin-Simmons University is a Christian college located in Abilene, Texas (population 128,000), about 3 hours west of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area.

The college has a primarily residential student body of 1,200 undergraduate students.

Hardin-Simmons University offers more than 50 bachelor, minor, and certificate programs, as well as several graduate programs.

97% acceptance rate. They consider a wide range of students (B- to A+).

2026-27 Tuition $34,700

Housing $7,000

Meal Plan $5,000

Fees $1,100

Total $47,800

After merit scholarships, most families, without loans, undergraduates pay less than upper 20K’s.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS:

Fitness, Recreation & Sports Management Degree:

From their website: “A fitness, recreation, & sports management degree is a specialized program that prepares you for the dynamic and diverse field of sports and recreational management, equipping you for roles related to fitness facilities, sports organizations, event management, and recreational programming. Learn to blend business acumen with a passion for fitness and sports, empowering you to contribute to the success and well-being of athletes and recreational enthusiasts alike.

“Are you passionate about exercise and creating healthy habits? Do you want to share that passion with others and promote wellness in your community? Earning a fitness, recreation, and sports management degree from Hardin-Simmons University will prepare you for a diverse range of jobs in recreation management, fitness and sports — including personal and group fitness training, athletics administration, and parks management, to name only a few.”

Doctor of Physical Therapy:

From their website: “Many doctors of physical therapy choose to earn their Bachelor of Science in Biology before entering a DPT degree program. That’s why we’ve made it easy to earn both your BS in biology and DPT degree with a fast-track program. You will earn your bachelor’s in just three years and your DPT in 2.5. Imagine starting college at 18 and becoming a doctor of physical therapy before you’re 26!”

From their website: “There are many reasons why we are one of the most well-regarded DPT programs in Texas. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which means that your DPT degree will be respected by employers and clients for its quality education. In addition, US News and World Report has recognized HSU in its Best Values in Schools list and our physical therapy program as a distinctive graduate program.”

Communication Sciences & Disorders Degree (Note: they also offer the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology):

From their website: “The communication sciences and disorders degree program at Hardin-Simmons University combines a solid academic foundation in understanding, recognizing and treating communication disorders with a heavy emphasis in direct field experience to prepare you to take on graduate school and the future job market.

“When you choose HSU to pursue your communication sciences and disorders degree, you can look forward with confidence: more than 95% of this program’s graduates are accepted into graduate school or a job in the field within a year of graduation.”

And also from their website: “When you graduate with a speech-language pathology master’s degree from HSU, you’ll have 400 hours of real-world experience working in a clinical setting. Our students are in high demand around Abilene and Texas for a wide variety of service-learning opportunities, and you’ll get chances every semester to help individuals in the community in educational settings, rehab facilities, and early childhood centers with speech language evaluations and intervention.”

Website: https://www.hsutx.edu/

Link to their visit and virtual tour information: https://www.hsutx.edu/admissions/visit-campus/