University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University Mid-South comes closer — median earnings $31,857 against a $21,708 total, vs $30,037 at University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | Arkansas State University Mid-South |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,842 | $5,427 |
| Total net cost | $19,368 | $21,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,037 | $31,857 |
| Median debt | $6,500 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$385,828 | -$351,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain, at $4,842 a year after aid versus $5,427 — a gap of $585 a year, or $2,340 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 Community College Rich Mountain or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates report a median $31,857 ten years after entry, $1,820 more than the $30,037 at University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain. 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 55% at University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain. 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.