Arkadelphia is a small town on the Ouachita River in south-west Arkansas, and it has two universities facing each other across the main road. Henderson State University, founded in 1890, is the public one, and in 2022 it joined the Arkansas State University System after a period of financial strain. It is known for aviation, teacher education, nursing and business, with low tuition.
Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States
Official website: hsu.edu
1890
Arkansas State University System
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
$12,000 – $16,000
International students, undergraduate programmes
$10,000 – $13,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on hsu.edu before you apply.
BS Aviation (Professional Pilot)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BBA Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
A professional pilot programme flying from the local airport.
Low tuition for a four-year public university.
Two universities side by side in one small town.
Aviation graduates build flight hours towards airline careers.
Nursing and education graduates join hospitals and schools across Arkansas.
F-1 graduates can work in the US on OPT after their degree.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Campus has residence halls, a student union and the sports venues of the Reddies, as Henderson's teams are known.
Arkadelphia is quiet and cheap. Hot Springs National Park is under an hour away, and Little Rock about an hour up Interstate 30.
Form I-20 issued by Henderson State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Henderson reviews international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by June for fall or November for spring to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
Students can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Aviation and nursing usually start in the fall.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Henderson State University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Aviation, business administration, nursing and biology are popular. Entry is based on school results with IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 61; nursing asks for higher English scores and a separate programme application.
Henderson offers some scholarships to international undergraduates based on grades. Ask the admissions office for current awards.
