Texas A&M University-Texarkana vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Texas A&M University-Texarkana comes closer — median earnings $45,515 against a $51,988 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Arlington Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,997 | $24,633 |
| Total net cost | $51,988 | $98,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,515 | $36,674 |
| Median debt | $18,953 | $8,347 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$108,888 | -$332,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-Texarkana or Arlington Career Institute?
Texas A&M University-Texarkana, at $12,997 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $11,636 a year, or $46,544 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Texas A&M University-Texarkana or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Texas A&M University-Texarkana graduates report a median $45,515 ten years after entry, $8,841 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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, Texas A&M University-Texarkana or Arlington Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $18,953 at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, a difference of $10,606. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Arlington Career Institute, against 30% at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. 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.