University of Arkansas-Fort Smith vs Arkansas Northeastern College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Arkansas-Fort Smith comes closer — median earnings $41,102 against a $21,148 total, vs $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Arkansas Northeastern College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,574 | $5,375 |
| Total net cost | $21,148 | $21,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,102 | $33,169 |
| Median debt | $18,250 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$166,308 | -$325,320 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas Northeastern College?
Arkansas Northeastern College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $10,574 — a gap of $5,199 a year, or $352 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-Fort Smith or Arkansas Northeastern College graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates report a median $41,102 ten years after entry, $7,933 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 38% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. 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.