Arkansas State University-Mountain Home vs University of the Ozarks: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of the Ozarks comes closer — median earnings $44,384 against a $69,440 total, vs $34,238 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | University of the Ozarks |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,847 | $17,360 |
| Total net cost | $35,388 | $69,440 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,238 | $44,384 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $20,875 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$317,828 | -$148,960 |
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 the Ozarks?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, at $8,847 a year after aid versus $17,360 — a gap of $8,513 a year, or $34,052 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 the Ozarks graduates earn more?
University of the Ozarks graduates report a median $44,384 ten years after entry, $10,146 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 University of the Ozarks?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $20,875 at University of the Ozarks, a difference of $10,375. 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 the Ozarks, 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.