Degree Dividend
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Arkansas State University Three Rivers vs Arkansas Baptist College: which has better ROI?

Public, Malvern AR · vs · Private nonprofit, Little Rock AR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University Three Rivers comes closer — median earnings $37,374 against a $32,280 total, vs $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas State University Three RiversArkansas Baptist College
Net price / yr$8,070$10,627
Total net cost$32,280$42,508
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,374$28,418
Median debt$10,250$25,375
Payback
20-year net return-$252,000-$441,348

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

Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University Three Rivers or Arkansas Baptist College?

Arkansas State University Three Rivers, at $8,070 a year after aid versus $10,627 — a gap of $2,557 a year, or $10,228 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 Three Rivers or Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn more?

Arkansas State University Three Rivers graduates report a median $37,374 ten years after entry, $8,956 more than the $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist 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 Three Rivers or Arkansas Baptist College?

Arkansas State University Three Rivers: its completers carry a median $10,250 in federal loans versus $25,375 at Arkansas Baptist College, a difference of $15,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

26% of students finish at Arkansas State University Three Rivers, against 7% at Arkansas Baptist College. 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 Three Rivers vs Arkansas Baptist College: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University Three Rivers or Arkansas Baptist College a better value?
Arkansas State University Three Rivers 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 Three Rivers or Arkansas Baptist College?
Arkansas State University Three Rivers: $8,070/yr net price after aid versus $10,627/yr at Arkansas Baptist College — a difference of $2,557 a year, or about $10,228 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University Three Rivers or Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Three Rivers graduates earn a median $37,374 ten years after entry, versus $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College — a $8,956 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.