Henderson State University Swimming — Division II Recruiting Profile

At a Glance

Henderson State University Swim Program Overview

Recruiting Time Standards

Calibrated benchmarks for Henderson State University based on historical recruiting classes. A cut = scholarship / elite tier. B cut = scoring varsity. C cut = walk-on / depth.

Henderson State University Swimming Division and Conference

Henderson State University competes in NCAA Division II, in the Great American. Division II offers a highly competitive environment with scholarship funding and a strong emphasis on balancing athletic and academic life. The Great American conducts a conference championship each season, which influences national rankings and NCAA qualifying bids.

Is Henderson State University a good fit for swimmers?

Henderson State University is a NCAA Division II swim program competing in the Great American, a competitive NCAA conference. Division II swimming offers a highly competitive environment with scholarship funding and a strong emphasis on the complete student-athlete experience. It is a common destination for talented swimmers who want athletic aid without the full intensity of a D1 program.

Competing in the Great American, Henderson State University swimmers face some of the strongest programs in the country throughout the season. Conference championship performance influences team rankings, national reputation, and how many swimmers earn bids to the NCAA Championships in March.

NCAA D2 programs may distribute up to 8.1 scholarship equivalencies per gender. At Henderson State University, the coaching staff spreads this pool across the roster — most recruited swimmers receive partial athletic scholarships. Strong academic records can stack additional institutional aid on top of athletic money, making D2 programs excellent value for scholar-athletes.

Who should consider Henderson State University for swimming?

Henderson State University is an ideal recruiting target for swimmers who want to compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Great American while studying in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. As a public university, Henderson State University is especially cost-competitive for Arkansas residents: in-state tuition of $12,900 is significantly below the out-of-state rate of $32,700. For recruited out-of-state swimmers, an athletic scholarship can close that gap and make the net cost of attendance highly competitive.

Based on Henderson State University's historical recruiting classes, the breakdown by tier for the 50 Free looks like this:

• Scholarship-target level (A cut) — 22.97 or faster in the 50 Free: These recruits are the top priority for coaching staff and are first in line for athletic aid discussions.
• Scoring varsity level (B cut) — 23.78: Expected to contribute points in dual meets and conference scoring situations. Strong candidates for partial athletic and merit aid packages.
• Walk-on / preferred walk-on (C cut) — 24.94: Adds training depth to the program. Walk-ons at D1 programs routinely drop significant time and can earn scholarship money in later years based on performance.

Coaches recruit on your best event — a single A-cut can open a recruiting conversation regardless of other events. See the full recruiting time standards table above for all 14 tracked events and identify where you stand across your entire event lineup.

Academically, Henderson State University admits 60.7% of applicants — a school accessible to a wide range of academic backgrounds. Recruited athletes are expected to meet the standard admissions profile, and coaches typically have some ability to advocate for borderline candidates when the athletic need is strong.

Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid

Academic Profile

NCAA eligibility requires a minimum 2.3 GPA and 16 core courses for D1/D2, and a 2.0 GPA for D3, plus academic progress standards in each year. Henderson State University's admissions profile reflects the general academic baseline — most coaches prefer recruits who meet or comfortably exceed those standards.

Campus & Location

Coaching Staff & Recruiting Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

What division does Henderson State University swim in?

Henderson State University competes in NCAA Division II, in the Great American. The program offers men's varsity · women's varsity.

What recruiting times does Henderson State University swimming look for?

For the 50 Free, Henderson State University's A-cut recruiting standard is 22.97, the B cut is 23.78, and the C cut is 24.94. A cuts target scholarship-level recruits, B cuts are solid scoring varsity, and C cuts cover walk-on depth. See the full table above for all 14 tracked events.

How much does Henderson State University cost after financial aid?

IPEDS data shows an average net price of $17,600 per year at Henderson State University. Your real cost depends on your family's FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI), any athletic aid, and merit scholarships.

Does Henderson State University swimming offer athletic scholarships?

Yes. Division II programs can offer up to 8.1 scholarship equivalencies per gender. Henderson State University's coaching staff decides how to split the pool — typically resulting in partial scholarships for most varsity swimmers.

Does Henderson State University meet 100% of demonstrated financial need?

Henderson State University does not commit to meeting 100% of financial need. Aid packages typically include a combination of grants, loans, and work-study based on FAFSA results.

How selective is Henderson State University academically?

Henderson State University accepts 60.7% of applicants. Recruited swimmers are expected to meet or exceed the general admissions academic standards, though coaches may have limited bandwidth to advocate for borderline academic cases.

What conference does Henderson State University swimming compete in?

Henderson State University swims in the Great American. Conference championship performance influences NCAA qualifying times and the program's national ranking each season.

Is Henderson State University public or private, and does it matter for swim recruits?

Henderson State University is a public university. In-state students from Arkansas pay $12,900 in tuition vs. $32,700 out-of-state. Athletic scholarships can offset the out-of-state premium for recruited swimmers, making the net cost competitive regardless of home state.

Similar Programs

Other NCAA Division II programs in and around Arkansas — explore schools with comparable recruiting profiles

Sources: NCAA, IPEDS, Niche.com, ProductiveRecruit. Recruiting time tiers (A/B/C) are University Swim Fit-calibrated benchmarks based on division, program tier, and historical recruiting classes.