Arkansas Northeastern College vs Arkansas State University Three Rivers: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University Three Rivers comes closer — median earnings $37,374 against a $32,280 total, vs $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas Northeastern College | Arkansas State University Three Rivers |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,375 | $8,070 |
| Total net cost | $21,500 | $32,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $33,169 | $37,374 |
| Median debt | — | $10,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$325,320 | -$252,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas Northeastern College or Arkansas State University Three Rivers?
Arkansas Northeastern College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $8,070 — a gap of $2,695 a year, or $10,780 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Arkansas Northeastern College or Arkansas State University Three Rivers graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Three Rivers graduates report a median $37,374 ten years after entry, $4,205 more than the $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at Arkansas Northeastern College, against 26% at Arkansas State University Three Rivers. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.