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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff vs Arkansas Northeastern College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pine Bluff AR · vs · Public, Blytheville AR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff comes closer — median earnings $35,550 against a $50,612 total, vs $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Arkansas at Pine BluffArkansas Northeastern College
Net price / yr$12,653$5,375
Total net cost$50,612$21,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,550$33,169
Median debt$24,202
Payback
20-year net return-$306,812-$325,320

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

Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff or Arkansas Northeastern College?

Arkansas Northeastern College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $12,653 — a gap of $7,278 a year, or $29,112 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 Pine Bluff or Arkansas Northeastern College graduates earn more?

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates report a median $35,550 ten years after entry, $2,381 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 40% at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 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.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff vs Arkansas Northeastern College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff or Arkansas Northeastern College a better value?
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 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, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff or Arkansas Northeastern College?
Arkansas Northeastern College: $5,375/yr net price after aid versus $12,653/yr at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff — a difference of $7,278 a year, or about $29,112 over four years.
Do University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff or Arkansas Northeastern College graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates earn a median $35,550 ten years after entry, versus $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College — a $2,381 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.