Degree Dividend
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Henderson State University vs Arkansas Northeastern College: which has better ROI?

Public, Arkadelphia AR · vs · Public, Blytheville AR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Henderson State University comes closer — median earnings $43,459 against a $93,620 total, vs $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHenderson State UniversityArkansas Northeastern College
Net price / yr$23,405$5,375
Total net cost$93,620$21,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,459$33,169
Median debt$19,500
Payback
20-year net return-$191,640-$325,320

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

Which is cheaper, Henderson State University or Arkansas Northeastern College?

Arkansas Northeastern College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $23,405 — a gap of $18,030 a year, or $72,120 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Henderson State University or Arkansas Northeastern College graduates earn more?

Henderson State University graduates report a median $43,459 ten years after entry, $10,290 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 37% at Henderson State 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.

Henderson State University vs Arkansas Northeastern College: frequently asked questions

Is Henderson State University or Arkansas Northeastern College a better value?
Henderson State 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, Henderson State University or Arkansas Northeastern College?
Arkansas Northeastern College: $5,375/yr net price after aid versus $23,405/yr at Henderson State University — a difference of $18,030 a year, or about $72,120 over four years.
Do Henderson State University or Arkansas Northeastern College graduates earn more?
Henderson State University graduates earn a median $43,459 ten years after entry, versus $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College — a $10,290 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.