Arkansas Tech University vs Arkansas State University-Mountain Home: 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 $34,238 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,970 | $8,847 |
| Total net cost | $51,880 | $35,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,766 | $34,238 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $10,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$183,760 | -$317,828 |
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-Mountain Home?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, at $8,847 a year after aid versus $12,970 — a gap of $4,123 a year, or $16,492 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-Mountain Home graduates earn more?
Arkansas Tech University graduates report a median $41,766 ten years after entry, $7,528 more than the $34,238 at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. 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-Mountain Home?
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Arkansas Tech University, a difference of $10,500. 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 44% at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. 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.