Arkansas Tech University vs Arkansas State University-Beebe: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas Tech University comes closer — median earnings $41,766 against a $51,880 total, vs $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas State University-Beebe |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,970 | $11,698 |
| Total net cost | $51,880 | $46,792 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,766 | $36,603 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $8,093 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$183,760 | -$281,932 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas Tech University or Arkansas State University-Beebe?
Arkansas State University-Beebe, at $11,698 a year after aid versus $12,970 — a gap of $1,272 a year, or $5,088 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 State University-Beebe graduates earn more?
Arkansas Tech University graduates report a median $41,766 ten years after entry, $5,163 more than the $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe. 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 State University-Beebe?
Arkansas State University-Beebe: its completers carry a median $8,093 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Arkansas Tech University, a difference of $12,907. 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 42% at Arkansas State University-Beebe. 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.