Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Arkansas State University vs University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana: which has better ROI?

Public, Jonesboro AR · vs · Public, Hope AR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University comes closer — median earnings $42,617 against a $49,464 total, vs $34,162 at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureArkansas State UniversityUniversity of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
Net price / yr$12,366$9,270
Total net cost$49,464$37,080
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,617$34,162
Median debt$20,500
Payback
20-year net return-$164,324-$321,040

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

Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University or University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana?

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, at $9,270 a year after aid versus $12,366 — a gap of $3,096 a year, or $12,384 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 University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana graduates earn more?

Arkansas State University graduates report a median $42,617 ten years after entry, $8,455 more than the $34,162 at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. 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?

57% of students finish at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, 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.

Arkansas State University vs University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University or University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana a better value?
Arkansas State University 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 or University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana?
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana: $9,270/yr net price after aid versus $12,366/yr at Arkansas State University — a difference of $3,096 a year, or about $12,384 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University or University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University graduates earn a median $42,617 ten years after entry, versus $34,162 at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana — a $8,455 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.