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Head-to-head comparison

Arkansas State University Mid-South vs Career Academy of Hair Design: which has better ROI?

Public, West Memphis AR · vs · Private for-profit, Springdale AR

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

Option A West Memphis, AR

Arkansas State University Mid-South

Net price / year
$5,427
Earnings, 10 years
$31,857
Payback
No payback

Option B Springdale, AR

Career Academy of Hair Design

Net price / year
$12,728
Earnings, 10 years
$21,567
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University Mid-South comes closer — median earnings $31,857 against a $21,708 total, vs $21,567 at Career Academy of Hair Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas State University Mid-SouthCareer Academy of Hair Design
Net price / yr$5,427$12,728
Total net cost$21,708$50,912
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,857$21,567
Median debt—$6,365
Payback——
20-year net return-$351,768-$586,772

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design?

Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $12,728 — a gap of $7,301 a year, or $29,204 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 State University Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design graduates earn more?

Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates report a median $31,857 ten years after entry, $10,290 more than the $21,567 at Career Academy of Hair Design. 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?

73% of students finish at Career Academy of Hair Design, against 58% at Arkansas State University Mid-South. 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 State University Mid-South vs Career Academy of Hair Design: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design a better value?
Arkansas State University Mid-South 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 State University Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design?
Arkansas State University Mid-South: $5,427/yr net price after aid versus $12,728/yr at Career Academy of Hair Design — a difference of $7,301 a year, or about $29,204 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University Mid-South or Career Academy of Hair Design graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn a median $31,857 ten years after entry, versus $21,567 at Career Academy of Hair Design — a $10,290 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.