University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College 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 $28,471 at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College | Arkansas State University Mid-South |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,220 | $5,427 |
| Total net cost | $28,880 | $21,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $28,471 | $31,857 |
| Median debt | $6,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$426,660 | -$351,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $7,220 — a gap of $1,793 a year, or $7,172 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-East Arkansas Community College or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates report a median $31,857 ten years after entry, $3,386 more than the $28,471 at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community 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?
58% of students finish at Arkansas State University Mid-South, against 51% at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College. 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.