University of Arkansas vs University of Arkansas at Little Rock
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
University of Arkansas holds a 38-point ROI advantage over University of Arkansas at Little Rock, scoring 69/100 versus 31/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Arkansas at Little Rock comes in at $17,248 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,209 at University of Arkansas - a difference of $961 annually, or roughly $3,844 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Arkansas graduates earn a median of $58,191 compared to $45,265 at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The payback period is 9.2 years at University of Arkansas versus 20.4 years at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Graduates leave University of Arkansas with a median $21,500 in debt versus $22,000 at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.53 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas at... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $10,104 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,966 | $22,158 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,209 | $17,248 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $72,836 | $68,992 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $40,900 | $34,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,191 | $45,265 |
| Graduation Rate | 70.5% | 41.6% |
| Payback Period | 9.2 yr | 20.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $22,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $233 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.53 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.0% | 71.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.8% | 57.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.3% | 58.8% |
| Enrollment | 28,677 | 4,949 |
| SAT Range | 1030-1220 | 960-1210 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Arkans... | University of Arkans... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $14,319 | $15,195 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,322 | $16,250 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,934 | $19,018 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,772 | $21,087 |
| $110,001+ | $22,470 | $22,255 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Arkans... | University of Arkans... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $102,747 | $70,696 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,911 | $88,617 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $87,717 | $71,526 |
| Accounting | $84,097 | $70,007 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,770 | $51,384 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $62,592 | $40,107 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,969 | $46,743 |
| Biology | $54,497 | $48,606 |
| Teacher Education | $51,474 | $44,978 |
| History | $49,972 | $46,392 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,690 | $43,990 |
| Social Work | $49,458 | $49,594 |
| Psychology | $48,006 | $45,797 |
| English Language and Literature | $47,809 | $45,610 |
| Sociology | $43,290 | $42,390 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Arkans... | University of Arkans... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 70 | 28 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 66 | 26 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 68 | 43 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 79 | 24 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 61 | 43 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 31 |
The Verdict
University of Arkansas significantly outperforms University of Arkansas at Little Rock on financial ROI (69 vs 31). The 38-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Arkansas.
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University of Arkansas
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Poor 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.