Head-to-head comparison
Arkansas State University vs University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College: which has better ROI?
Option A Jonesboro, AR
Arkansas State University
- Net price / year
- $12,366
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,617
- Payback
- No payback
Option B North Little Rock, AR
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
- Net price / year
- $14,327
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,722
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arkansas State University comes closer — median earnings $42,617 against a $49,464 total, vs $34,722 at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arkansas State University | University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,366 | $14,327 |
| Total net cost | $49,464 | $57,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,617 | $34,722 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $12,080 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$164,324 | -$330,068 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Arkansas State University or University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College?
Arkansas State University, at $12,366 a year after aid versus $14,327 — a gap of $1,961 a year, or $7,844 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 or University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College graduates earn more?
Arkansas State University graduates report a median $42,617 ten years after entry, $7,895 more than the $34,722 at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical 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 leaves students with less debt, Arkansas State University or University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College?
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,080 in federal loans versus $20,500 at Arkansas State University, a difference of $8,420. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Arkansas State University, against 36% at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College. 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.