Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas · Public · 82.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 33/100 · Poor Value
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro posts a 33 ROI score, sitting in the Poor Value tier despite being a midsize regional public with $8,090 in-state tuition. The institution-level math is constrained by modest earnings: $42,617 ten-year median against $30,900 at six years, generating a 15.4 percent earnings premium and a 24.9-year payback period. Net price is $12,366, with a four-year total of $49,464. Completion rate is 55.4 percent, solidly above the national regional-public average. Median debt is $20,500 with a 0.663 debt-to-earnings ratio. Repayment numbers are concerning, deteriorating from 71 percent at three years to 53 percent at five and seven years. The institutional score buries the strong program-level reality: A-State has clear winners in Nursing (B), Allied Health (B+), Communication Disorders (B+), Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical all post strong earnings), and Accounting (B). The institutional headline reflects the long tail of weak general-major outcomes; the right A-State pathway delivers genuinely competitive ROI.
The data raises concerns about Arkansas State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score33/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period24.9 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Arkansas State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,090/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $14,522/yr |
| Average net price | $12,366/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $49,464 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,617 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 24.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 55.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,110 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Arkansas State University is $8,090/year ($14,522/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,366/year, or roughly $49,464 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,098/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $16,444/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,617 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.66 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,098 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,255 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,205 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,839 |
| $110,001+ | $16,444 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $10,098, with a small inversion: the $30,001 to $48,000 bracket pays less at $9,255. That is a mild small-sample anomaly worth flagging. Four-year cost for low-income families is approximately $40,000, against $42,617 median earnings ten years out. The math is workable in higher-ROI majors but tight overall, and the deteriorating repayment rate over time signals real strain for many graduates.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $9,255 (the $30,001 to $48,000 tier) to $12,205 (the $48,001 to $75,000 tier). Total four-year cost lands around $37,000 to $49,000. This is the price-sensitive sweet spot at A-State, and combined with strong program-level outcomes in nursing, engineering, and allied health, the math works for middle-income Arkansas families targeting the right majors.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $16,444, with the $75,001 to $110,000 bracket at $15,839. The progression is normal. Four-year cost for the top bracket is roughly $66,000, materially cheaper than the University of Arkansas flagship for students who would rather stay in the Delta region. Strong value for high-income students who target STEM or health-science programs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Arkansas State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $88,611 | B |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $43,733 | D |
| Psychology | $44,872 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $47,023 | C |
| Teacher Education | $41,947 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,833 | D |
| Biology | $54,441 | D |
| Political Science and Government | $46,293 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $44,780 | C |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $54,196 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is one of A-State's signature programs with 197 graduates per year, earning B grade. First-year median earnings of $73,423 grow to $88,611 by year four, against $26,355 in median debt and a 0.359 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong regional demand across Arkansas and the Memphis metro absorbs graduates readily. This is among the highest-volume nursing programs in the state and combines scale with solid outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the second-largest cohort at 166 graduates, earning C grade. First-year earnings of $36,007 grow to $47,023 by year four against $22,000 in median debt and a 0.611 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings are modest relative to peer regional-publics; the program serves as a general business pipeline rather than a feeder to higher-paying corporate roles. Worth considering against the more specialized Finance and Accounting tracks at the same school.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest cohort at 177 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $33,881 grow to $43,733 by year four, with $27,000 in debt and a 0.797 debt-to-earnings ratio. The general nature of the degree leaves graduates without a clear professional credential, and the earnings tail reflects that. Students drawn to broad humanities work would do better declaring a specific major track with stronger labor-market outcomes.
Psychology
Psychology shows 175 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $29,198 against $22,222 in median debt produce a 0.761 debt-to-earnings ratio. Year-four earnings of $44,872 show some progression. This is a graduate-school-dependent major; treated as a terminal bachelor's, the financial math is uncomfortable. Students pursuing this should commit to a graduate-school plan from the outset.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is the largest engineering cohort at 25 graduates. First-year median earnings of $74,284 climb to $91,665 by year four. Median debt and ROI grade are not reported, but earnings at this level combined with A-State's modest cost structure make this one of the highest-ROI programs in the state. Strong pipeline into Arkansas manufacturing, defense contractors, and the broader Memphis-Little Rock industrial corridor.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 53.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 53.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 82.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 480-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-570 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-24 |
| Enrollment | 9,110 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,579 |
A-State admits 82.3 percent of applicants. SAT mid-range is 480 to 620 math and 490 to 570 reading; ACT mid-range is 18 to 24. This is an accessible profile typical of regional state flagships. The 55.4 percent completion rate is a respectable outcome for this admit profile, suggesting the school's support infrastructure does meaningful work. Prepared students scoring above the 75th percentile should expect a smooth admission and a reasonable shot at completing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Named peers are University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas (flagship), Morgan State University, Colorado Mesa University, and East Tennessee State University. The University of Arkansas flagship in Fayetteville naturally outperforms A-State on most metrics but at higher cost. UALR runs a similar profile with slightly weaker completion. East Tennessee State is a strong comparable mid-South regional with comparable earnings. Colorado Mesa is structurally similar. A-State's program-level strength in engineering and the health sciences is competitive within this peer group.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University (this school) | 33 | $12,366 | $42,617 |
| University of Arkansas | 69 | $18,209 | $58,191 |
| East Tennessee State University | 35 | $15,983 | $44,859 |
| Morgan State University | 34 | $14,985 | $50,698 |
| Colorado Mesa University | 33 | $15,103 | $45,823 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 31 | $17,248 | $45,265 |
Who Thrives Here
A-State fits an Arkansas student aiming at a STEM, health-sciences, or business credential at low in-state cost. Pell rate is 38.4 percent. Enrollment of 9,110 makes this a substantial midsize public with broad program coverage. The strong fits are Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Allied Health, Accounting, and Communication Disorders, all of which combine solid earnings and manageable debt. Poor fits are students drifting into General Liberal Arts (177 graduates per year, D grade) or Psychology (175 graduates, D grade) without a clear post-graduation plan.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Arkansas State University. With a net cost of $12,366 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,617 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 24.9 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,500 against $42,617 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.