Arkansas State University vs Central Baptist College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central Baptist College comes closer — median earnings $46,789 against a $49,148 total, vs $42,617 at Arkansas State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University | Central Baptist College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,366 | $12,287 |
| Total net cost | $49,464 | $49,148 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,617 | $46,789 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $22,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$164,324 | -$80,568 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University or Central Baptist College?
Central Baptist College, at $12,287 a year after aid versus $12,366 — a gap of $79 a year, or $316 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 or Central Baptist College graduates earn more?
Central Baptist College graduates report a median $46,789 ten years after entry, $4,172 more than the $42,617 at Arkansas State University. 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 or Central Baptist College?
Arkansas State University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,250 at Central Baptist College, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Arkansas State University, against 34% at Central 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.