Degree Dividend
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Arkansas Tech University vs Arkansas Baptist College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas Tech University comes closer — median earnings $41,766 against a $51,880 total, vs $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas Tech UniversityArkansas Baptist College
Net price / yr$12,970$10,627
Total net cost$51,880$42,508
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,766$28,418
Median debt$21,000$25,375
Payback
20-year net return-$183,760-$441,348

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

Which is cheaper, Arkansas Tech University or Arkansas Baptist College?

Arkansas Baptist College, at $10,627 a year after aid versus $12,970 — a gap of $2,343 a year, or $9,372 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 Tech University or Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn more?

Arkansas Tech University graduates report a median $41,766 ten years after entry, $13,348 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 Tech University or Arkansas Baptist College?

Arkansas Tech University: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,375 at Arkansas Baptist College, a difference of $4,375. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Arkansas Tech University, 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 Tech University vs Arkansas Baptist College: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas Tech University or Arkansas Baptist College a better value?
Arkansas Tech 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 Tech University or Arkansas Baptist College?
Arkansas Baptist College: $10,627/yr net price after aid versus $12,970/yr at Arkansas Tech University — a difference of $2,343 a year, or about $9,372 over four years.
Do Arkansas Tech University or Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn more?
Arkansas Tech University graduates earn a median $41,766 ten years after entry, versus $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College — a $13,348 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.