Arkansas State University-Beebe vs Black River Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University-Beebe comes closer — median earnings $36,603 against a $46,792 total, vs $34,818 at Black River Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University-Beebe | Black River Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,698 | $5,095 |
| Total net cost | $46,792 | $20,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,603 | $34,818 |
| Median debt | $8,093 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$281,932 | -$291,220 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Beebe or Black River Technical College?
Black River Technical College, at $5,095 a year after aid versus $11,698 — a gap of $6,603 a year, or $26,412 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 State University-Beebe or Black River Technical College graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University-Beebe graduates report a median $36,603 ten years after entry, $1,785 more than the $34,818 at Black River Technical 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 leaves students with less debt, Arkansas State University-Beebe or Black River Technical College?
Arkansas State University-Beebe: its completers carry a median $8,093 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Black River Technical College, a difference of $1,407. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Black River Technical College, against 42% at Arkansas State University-Beebe. 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.