University of Arkansas vs Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College holds a 7-point ROI advantage over University of Arkansas, scoring 76/100 versus 69/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Arkansas comes in at $18,209 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - a difference of $942 annually, or roughly $3,768 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median of $61,251 compared to $58,191 at University of Arkansas. The payback period is 9.2 years at University of Arkansas versus 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
Graduates leave Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,500 at University of Arkansas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.53 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Arkansas | Louisiana State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $10,104 | $11,954 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,966 | $28,631 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,209 | $19,151 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $72,836 | $76,604 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $40,900 | $45,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,191 | $61,251 |
| Graduation Rate | 70.5% | 68.8% |
| Payback Period | 9.2 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.53 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.0% | 81.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.8% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.3% | 73.3% |
| Enrollment | 28,677 | 30,594 |
| SAT Range | 1030-1220 | 1180-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Arkans... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $14,319 | $13,056 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,322 | $15,696 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,934 | $20,223 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,772 | $23,878 |
| $110,001+ | $22,470 | $26,489 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Arkans... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $93,641 | $114,226 |
| Computer Engineering | $99,031 | $106,897 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,464 | $99,975 |
| Industrial Engineering | $98,765 | $94,748 |
| Business Information Systems | $97,743 | $81,799 |
| Electrical Engineering | $97,516 | $97,208 |
| Computer Science | $95,642 | $89,307 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $87,717 | $95,302 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $88,067 | $80,498 |
| Civil Engineering | $79,929 | $85,627 |
| Accounting | $84,097 | $82,617 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,770 | $64,590 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $75,972 | $44,717 |
| Marketing | $73,153 | $60,408 |
| International Business | $71,486 | $65,326 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Arkans... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 70 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 66 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 68 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 79 | 77 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 61 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 76 |
The Verdict
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College has a meaningfully higher ROI score (76 vs 69). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if University of Arkansas offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of Arkansas
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.