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Head-to-head comparison

Arkansas State University Mid-South vs Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock: which has better ROI?

Public, West Memphis AR · vs · Private for-profit, North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock, AR

Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock

Net price / year
$18,356
Earnings, 10 years
$24,765
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 $24,765 at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas State University Mid-SouthPaul Mitchell the School-Little Rock
Net price / yr$5,427$18,356
Total net cost$21,708$73,424
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,857$24,765
Median debt—$10,725
Payback——
20-year net return-$351,768-$545,324

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 Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock?

Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $18,356 — a gap of $12,929 a year, or $51,716 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock graduates earn more?

Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates report a median $31,857 ten years after entry, $7,092 more than the $24,765 at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock. 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?

71% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock, 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University Mid-South or Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock?
Arkansas State University Mid-South: $5,427/yr net price after aid versus $18,356/yr at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock — a difference of $12,929 a year, or about $51,716 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University Mid-South or Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn a median $31,857 ten years after entry, versus $24,765 at Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock — a $7,092 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.