University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, Arkansas · Public
ROI Score: 69/100 · Fair Value
University of Arkansas Grantham scores 69 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale -- an above-average result for an online-focused public institution with $8,520 tuition. The score is shaped by a high earnings premium (0.851 raw score, 97 sub-score), a 6.1-year payback period, and $63,496 median 10-year earnings. The significant drag is a 43.0% completion rate, meaning most enrollees do not finish -- a pattern common to online universities serving working adults and career changers. UA Grantham serves primarily military-affiliated and working adult students, which is reflected in a 71.8% Pell grant rate -- one of the highest in the database. Admission data is not reported, consistent with an open-access online model. The program mix is heavily technical: Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies (71 graduates, $87,606 year one, $123,809 year four, B grade) and Computer/IT Administration (23 graduates, $86,607 year one, $91,988 year four, B grade) are the standout performers. The Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies program (62 graduates) shows an A-grade ROI with a 0.129 debt-to-earnings ratio and only $9,625 median debt -- an outlier that likely reflects students who transferred credits or completed the degree quickly. Business Administration (164 graduates, the largest program) shows a C-grade ROI at $59,009 year one with $39,269 median debt.
University of Arkansas Grantham
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,520/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,520/yr |
| Average net price | $8,370/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $33,480 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,496 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | N/A |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,956 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $233 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 43.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,833 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Arkansas Grantham is $8,520/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $8,370/year, or roughly $33,480 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,384/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,956 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $233 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $63,496 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is N/A - (insufficient data to assess).
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 | $8,384 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,973 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,938 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (0-30000) pay $8,384 net price -- essentially tuition at this school, suggesting minimal grant aid is layered on top of the already-low $8,520 tuition rate. For students in the strongest programs (engineering technology, IT), this is an exceptional value: under $34,000 four-year cost with $87,000+ year-one earnings in the top tracks. The 71.8% Pell grant rate confirms this institution is a primary pathway for low-income working adults.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30001-48000 bracket pays the lowest net price in the schedule at $7,973 per year -- slightly below the base tuition, suggesting some aid is available in this band. Middle-income students at $8,000-$10,000 annual cost in a technical program at UA Grantham are accessing one of the better value propositions in online education if they complete the degree.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Net price data for the 75001-110000 and 110001-plus brackets is not reported. Higher-income students are uncommon at UA Grantham given the Pell rate of 71.8% and the working-adult demographic. At $8,520 tuition with no residential costs, even full-sticker enrollment is inexpensive relative to most institutions.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Arkansas Grantham with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,150 | C |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $123,809 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,793 | D |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $77,844 | A |
| Human Resources Management | $47,739 | F |
| Computer Science | $74,925 | C |
| Information Science | $78,143 | - |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $91,988 | B |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $108,380 | - |
| Management Information Systems | $73,566 | 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.
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
The highest-volume strong performer at UA Grantham: 71 graduates, $87,606 year-one earnings, $123,809 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.367 (B grade). Median debt of $32,109 is moderate relative to earnings velocity. Graduates likely enter defense electronics, utility operations, and industrial automation -- sectors where an engineering technology credential from an online school has practical standing. The four-year trajectory to $123,000 is strong for a non-flagship public institution.
Computer/Information Technology Administration
IT Administration (23 graduates) shows $86,607 year one and $91,988 at year four, with a 0.379 debt-to-earnings ratio (B grade). The relatively flat four-year trajectory -- from $86k to $92k -- suggests graduates are landing well at entry but not seeing aggressive promotion within four years, possibly reflecting the nontraditional age profile of the student body. Median debt of $32,853 is manageable against these earnings.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
The standout ROI result at UA Grantham: 62 graduates, $74,432 year-one earnings, $77,844 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.129 (A grade) and only $9,625 median debt. The extremely low debt figure indicates students who transferred in significant credit hours or who completed the degree quickly with little borrowing. This program likely captures working professionals formalizing credentials rather than traditional degree seekers.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest program at 164 graduates, with $59,009 year-one earnings and $62,150 at year four. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.665 (C grade) with $39,269 median debt represents moderate repayment pressure. The flat earnings trajectory -- only $3,000 growth in four years -- is a concern and may reflect graduates who are already mid-career and plateau rather than advance. The C grade is below the technical programs but not disqualifying at UA Grantham's low tuition point.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (66 graduates) earns $50,520 at year one and $54,793 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.791 (D grade) and $39,972 median debt. The $39,972 debt figure relative to $50,520 starting earnings creates real repayment pressure -- nearly 80 cents of annual earnings per dollar of debt. Students considering this program should evaluate specific law enforcement or corrections career goals; without a clear public-sector pathway, the earnings trajectory is modest.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 66.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 67.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | N/A | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | N/A | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 2,833 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 71.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,141 |
No admission rate or test score data is reported in Scorecard for UA Grantham, consistent with an open-enrollment model. Acceptance is essentially guaranteed for qualified applicants. The key qualification is not academic selectivity but the ability to manage self-directed online coursework while working full-time -- a skill set that determines completion more than admissions criteria.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UA Grantham's Scorecard peers include University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Hawaii-West Oahu, University of Houston-Victoria, and Indiana University Kokomo -- similar open-access regional or online public institutions. Among these, UA Grantham's earnings premium sub-score of 97 is unusually strong, driven by its technical program mix outperforming a typical liberal arts regional campus. The completion rate of 43.0% is the persistent weakness shared across this peer group. Students who complete the degree at any of these institutions tend to do well; the institutional ROI is dragged down by the substantial share who do not.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas Grantham (this school) | 69 | $8,370 | $63,496 |
| University of Arkansas | 69 | $18,209 | $58,191 |
| Indiana University-Kokomo | 68 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | 67 | $10,327 | $52,075 |
| University of Houston-Victoria | 67 | $8,109 | $54,467 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 31 | $17,248 | $45,265 |
Who Thrives Here
UA Grantham is designed for working adults, military personnel, and students seeking fully online, asynchronous programs. Enrollment of 2,833 skews nontraditional: 71.8% Pell grant rate and no reported SAT/ACT data reflect the open-access model. Students who benefit most are those entering with prior technical experience who need a credential to advance -- particularly in defense contracting, IT, and engineering technology fields where the school has established employer relationships. Traditional 18-year-old students seeking a residential campus experience should look elsewhere.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Arkansas Grantham offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $8,370 per year leads to $33,480 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $63,496 a decade out. The payback period of 6.1 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 43.0% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $21,956 against $63,496 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.