University of Arkansas vs John Brown University: which has better ROI?
University of Arkansas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,836 in 7.4 years versus 14.7 years at John Brown University, on median earnings of $58,191 vs $53,907 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas | John Brown University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,209 | $20,397 |
| Total net cost | $72,836 | $81,588 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,191 | $53,907 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $21,250 |
| Payback | 7.4 yrs | 14.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $123,784 | $29,352 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas or John Brown University?
University of Arkansas, at $18,209 a year after aid versus $20,397 — a gap of $2,188 a year, or $8,752 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 or John Brown University graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas graduates report a median $58,191 ten years after entry, $4,284 more than the $53,907 at John Brown University. 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 leaves students with less debt, University of Arkansas or John Brown University?
John Brown University: its completers carry a median $21,250 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of Arkansas, a difference of $250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at John Brown University, against 71% at University of Arkansas. 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.