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Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: which has better ROI?

Public, De Queen AR · vs · Public, West Memphis AR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas comes closer — median earnings $33,775 against a $17,540 total, vs $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasArkansas State University Mid-South
Net price / yr$4,385$5,427
Total net cost$17,540$21,708
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,775$31,857
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$309,240-$351,768

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

Which is cheaper, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University Mid-South?

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, at $4,385 a year after aid versus $5,427 — a gap of $1,042 a year, or $4,168 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas graduates report a median $33,775 ten years after entry, $1,918 more than the $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. 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?

58% of students finish at Arkansas State University Mid-South, against 54% at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas. 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.

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: frequently asked questions

Is Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University Mid-South a better value?
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas 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, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas: $4,385/yr net price after aid versus $5,427/yr at Arkansas State University Mid-South — a difference of $1,042 a year, or about $4,168 over four years.
Do Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas graduates earn a median $33,775 ten years after entry, versus $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South — a $1,918 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.