University of Arkansas — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Arkansas charges a net price of $18,209/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $72,836. Graduates earn a median $58,191 ten years after entry, $9,831/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.4 years — a 20-year net return of $123,784, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Arkansas's 7.4-year payback ranks #653 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 49% of them, and #3 of 47 in Arkansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,209/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $72,836 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $58,191 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $9,831/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 7.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $123,784 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Arkansas's own numbers. Net price $18,209 × 4 years = $72,836 total. Median earnings $58,191 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,831 a year of premium. $72,836 ÷ $9,831 = 7.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $123,784. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Arkansas students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $58,191 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Arkansas students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $72,836 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $102,586 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Arkansas expensive compared with other Arkansas colleges?
Its $18,209 net price runs $5,843 above the $12,366 median across the 47 Arkansas colleges we profile, or $23,372 more across the full degree.