University of Arkansas at Little Rock vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Arkansas at Little Rock comes closer — median earnings $45,265 against a $68,992 total, vs $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Arkansas State University Mid-South |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,248 | $5,427 |
| Total net cost | $68,992 | $21,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,265 | $31,857 |
| Median debt | $22,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$130,892 | -$351,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas at Little Rock or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $17,248 — a gap of $11,821 a year, or $47,284 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Arkansas at Little Rock or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates report a median $45,265 ten years after entry, $13,408 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 42% at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 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.