Degree Dividend
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Arkansas State University-Mountain Home vs University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Mountain Home AR · vs · Public, Forrest City AR

The verdict

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 $28,471 at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas State University-Mountain HomeUniversity of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College
Net price / yr$8,847$7,220
Total net cost$35,388$28,880
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,238$28,471
Median debt$10,500$6,000
Payback
20-year net return-$317,828-$426,660

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

Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home or University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College?

University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College, at $7,220 a year after aid versus $8,847 — a gap of $1,627 a year, or $6,508 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 University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College graduates earn more?

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home graduates report a median $34,238 ten years after entry, $5,767 more than the $28,471 at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College. 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 University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College?

University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College: its completers carry a median $6,000 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

51% of students finish at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community 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.

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home vs University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University-Mountain Home or University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College a better value?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home 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-Mountain Home or University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College?
University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College: $7,220/yr net price after aid versus $8,847/yr at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home — a difference of $1,627 a year, or about $6,508 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University-Mountain Home or University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home graduates earn a median $34,238 ten years after entry, versus $28,471 at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College — a $5,767 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.