Arkansas State University vs NorthWest Arkansas Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR | NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +55% | +288% |
| 10-year net gain | $31,536 | $51,494 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $53,847 | $51,935 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $44,051 | $45,539 |
| Average net price | $12,366 | $7,196 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $9,506 |
| Break-even | 6.4 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 55% | — |
| Admission rate | 82% | — |
Arkansas State University
Break-even
+$31,536 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Strong return
+$51,494 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.