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Head-to-head comparison

Arkansas Northeastern College vs Philander Smith University: which has better ROI?

Public, Blytheville AR · vs · Private nonprofit, Little Rock AR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Blytheville, AR

Arkansas Northeastern College

Net price / year
$5,375
Earnings, 10 years
$33,169
Payback
No payback

Option B Little Rock, AR

Philander Smith University

Net price / year
$14,224
Earnings, 10 years
$38,427
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Philander Smith University comes closer — median earnings $38,427 against a $56,896 total, vs $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas Northeastern CollegePhilander Smith University
Net price / yr$5,375$14,224
Total net cost$21,500$56,896
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,169$38,427
Median debt—$24,736
Payback——
20-year net return-$325,320-$255,556

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Arkansas Northeastern College or Philander Smith University?

Arkansas Northeastern College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $14,224 — a gap of $8,849 a year, or $35,396 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Arkansas Northeastern College or Philander Smith University graduates earn more?

Philander Smith University graduates report a median $38,427 ten years after entry, $5,258 more than the $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Arkansas Northeastern College, against 30% at Philander Smith University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Arkansas Northeastern College vs Philander Smith University: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas Northeastern College or Philander Smith University a better value?
Philander Smith University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Arkansas Northeastern College or Philander Smith University?
Arkansas Northeastern College: $5,375/yr net price after aid versus $14,224/yr at Philander Smith University — a difference of $8,849 a year, or about $35,396 over four years.
Do Arkansas Northeastern College or Philander Smith University graduates earn more?
Philander Smith University graduates earn a median $38,427 ten years after entry, versus $33,169 at Arkansas Northeastern College — a $5,258 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.