Arkansas State University-Mountain Home vs Black River Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Black River Technical College comes closer — median earnings $34,818 against a $20,380 total, vs $34,238 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | Black River Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,847 | $5,095 |
| Total net cost | $35,388 | $20,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,238 | $34,818 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$317,828 | -$291,220 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home or Black River Technical College?
Black River Technical College, at $5,095 a year after aid versus $8,847 — a gap of $3,752 a year, or $15,008 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-Mountain Home or Black River Technical College graduates earn more?
Black River Technical College graduates report a median $34,818 ten years after entry, $580 more than the $34,238 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. 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-Mountain Home or Black River Technical College?
Black River Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, a difference of $1,000. 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 44% at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. 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.