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Head-to-head comparison

Arkansas State University-Newport vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: which has better ROI?

Public, Newport AR · vs · Public, West Memphis AR

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

Option A Newport, AR

Arkansas State University-Newport

Net price / year
$8,444
Earnings, 10 years
$41,524
Payback
No payback

Option B West Memphis, AR

Arkansas State University Mid-South

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

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University-Newport comes closer — median earnings $41,524 against a $33,776 total, vs $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArkansas State University-NewportArkansas State University Mid-South
Net price / yr$8,444$5,427
Total net cost$33,776$21,708
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,524$31,857
Median debt$8,002—
Payback——
20-year net return-$170,496-$351,768

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University-Newport or Arkansas State University Mid-South?

Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $8,444 — a gap of $3,017 a year, or $12,068 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-Newport or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?

Arkansas State University-Newport graduates report a median $41,524 ten years after entry, $9,667 more than the $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. 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?

58% of students finish at Arkansas State University Mid-South, against 46% at Arkansas State University-Newport. 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-Newport vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: frequently asked questions

Is Arkansas State University-Newport or Arkansas State University Mid-South a better value?
Arkansas State University-Newport 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-Newport or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
Arkansas State University Mid-South: $5,427/yr net price after aid versus $8,444/yr at Arkansas State University-Newport — a difference of $3,017 a year, or about $12,068 over four years.
Do Arkansas State University-Newport or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University-Newport graduates earn a median $41,524 ten years after entry, versus $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South — a $9,667 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.