Arkansas State University vs Northwest Technical Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University comes closer — median earnings $42,617 against a $49,464 total, vs $41,513 at Northwest Technical Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University | Northwest Technical Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,366 | $15,992 |
| Total net cost | $49,464 | $63,968 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,617 | $41,513 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$164,324 | -$200,908 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University or Northwest Technical Institute?
Arkansas State University, at $12,366 a year after aid versus $15,992 — a gap of $3,626 a year, or $14,504 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 Northwest Technical Institute graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University graduates report a median $42,617 ten years after entry, $1,104 more than the $41,513 at Northwest Technical Institute. 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 graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Northwest Technical Institute, against 55% at Arkansas State 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.