Arkansas State University Mid-South vs Career Academy of Hair Design: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University Mid-South comes closer — median earnings $31,857 against a $21,708 total, vs $21,567 at Career Academy of Hair Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University Mid-South | Career Academy of Hair Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,427 | $12,728 |
| Total net cost | $21,708 | $50,912 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,857 | $21,567 |
| Median debt | — | $6,365 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$351,768 | -$586,772 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design?
Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $12,728 — a gap of $7,301 a year, or $29,204 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 Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates report a median $31,857 ten years after entry, $10,290 more than the $21,567 at Career Academy of Hair Design. 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?
73% of students finish at Career Academy of Hair Design, against 58% at Arkansas State University Mid-South. 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.