Harding University ranked seventh in Arkansas for the highest coaching salaries among post-secondary institutions in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Data indicates that Harding University offered its coaches an average salary of $58,567, with the top coaching salary reaching $66,628.
The University of Arkansas led the state in 2024 by providing the highest average coaching salary of $1.3 million.
In 2024, the average coaching salary across Arkansas post-secondary schools was $104,208, marking a 13.2% increase from the previous year’s average of $92,052.
A Knight Commission report projects that within a decade, some Power 5 football coaches will earn more than their schools spend on scholarships and medical care for all athletes. The study estimates more than $1 billion in new annual revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and media rights deals. By 2032, nearly half of public Power 5 schools could reach this ‘crossover point.’
Incomplete data provided by post-secondary institutions can sometimes skew salary data.
| Institution | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| The University of Arkansas | $1.3 million |
| The University of Arkansas at Little Rock | $156,113 |
| The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | $91,675 |
| Arkansas State University | $88,470 |
| The University of Central Arkansas | $82,491 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | $67,918 |
| Harding University | $58,567 |
| The University of Arkansas at Monticello | $49,394 |
| Arkansas Tech University | $47,681 |
| The University of the Ozarks | $41,898 |
Information in this story was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
