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Arkansas Tech University vs Arkansas Northeastern College: which has better ROI?

Public, Russellville AR · vs · Public, Blytheville 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 $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas Tech UniversityArkansas Northeastern College
Net price / yr$12,970$5,375
Total net cost$51,880$21,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,766$33,169
Median debt$21,000
Payback
20-year net return-$183,760-$325,320

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

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

Arkansas Northeastern College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $12,970 — a gap of $7,595 a year, or $30,380 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 Northeastern College graduates earn more?

Arkansas Tech University graduates report a median $41,766 ten years after entry, $8,597 more than the $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern 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 graduates more of its students?

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

Is Arkansas Tech University or Arkansas Northeastern 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 Northeastern College?
Arkansas Northeastern College: $5,375/yr net price after aid versus $12,970/yr at Arkansas Tech University — a difference of $7,595 a year, or about $30,380 over four years.
Do Arkansas Tech University or Arkansas Northeastern College graduates earn more?
Arkansas Tech University graduates earn a median $41,766 ten years after entry, versus $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College — a $8,597 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.