Degree Dividend
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Arkansas State University-Beebe vs Henderson State University: which has better ROI?

Public, Beebe AR · vs · Public, Arkadelphia AR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Henderson State University comes closer — median earnings $43,459 against a $93,620 total, vs $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas State University-BeebeHenderson State University
Net price / yr$11,698$23,405
Total net cost$46,792$93,620
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,603$43,459
Median debt$8,093$19,500
Payback
20-year net return-$281,932-$191,640

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Beebe or Henderson State University?

Arkansas State University-Beebe, at $11,698 a year after aid versus $23,405 — a gap of $11,707 a year, or $46,828 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 Henderson State University graduates earn more?

Henderson State University graduates report a median $43,459 ten years after entry, $6,856 more than the $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe. 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 Henderson State University?

Arkansas State University-Beebe: its completers carry a median $8,093 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Henderson State University, a difference of $11,407. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Arkansas State University-Beebe, against 37% at Henderson State University. 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.

Arkansas State University-Beebe vs Henderson State University: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University-Beebe or Henderson State University a better value?
Henderson State University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Beebe or Henderson State University?
Arkansas State University-Beebe: $11,698/yr net price after aid versus $23,405/yr at Henderson State University — a difference of $11,707 a year, or about $46,828 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University-Beebe or Henderson State University graduates earn more?
Henderson State University graduates earn a median $43,459 ten years after entry, versus $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe — a $6,856 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.