Arkansas State University-Mountain Home vs Philander Smith University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Philander Smith University comes closer — median earnings $38,427 against a $56,896 total, vs $34,238 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,847 | $14,224 |
| Total net cost | $35,388 | $56,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,238 | $38,427 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $24,736 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$317,828 | -$255,556 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home or Philander Smith University?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, at $8,847 a year after aid versus $14,224 — a gap of $5,377 a year, or $21,508 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 Philander Smith University graduates earn more?
Philander Smith University graduates report a median $38,427 ten years after entry, $4,189 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 Philander Smith University?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $24,736 at Philander Smith University, a difference of $14,236. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
44% of students finish at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, against 30% at Philander Smith 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.