Arkansas State University-Mountain Home vs Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University-Mountain Home comes closer — median earnings $34,238 against a $35,388 total, vs $24,765 at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,847 | $18,356 |
| Total net cost | $35,388 | $73,424 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,238 | $24,765 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $10,725 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$317,828 | -$545,324 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home or Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, at $8,847 a year after aid versus $18,356 — a gap of $9,509 a year, or $38,036 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home graduates report a median $34,238 ten years after entry, $9,473 more than the $24,765 at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock. 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $10,725 at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock, a difference of $225. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock, 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.