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Head-to-head comparison

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: which has better ROI?

Public, Magnolia 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 Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Net price / year
$14,027
Earnings, 10 years
$42,386
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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $42,386 against a $56,108 total, vs $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern Arkansas University Main CampusArkansas State University Mid-South
Net price / yr$14,027$5,427
Total net cost$56,108$21,708
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,386$31,857
Median debt$18,750—
Payback——
20-year net return-$175,588-$351,768

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Arkansas State University Mid-South?

Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $14,027 — a gap of $8,600 a year, or $34,400 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates report a median $42,386 ten years after entry, $10,529 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 49% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. 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.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: frequently asked questions

Is Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Arkansas State University Mid-South a better value?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
Arkansas State University Mid-South: $5,427/yr net price after aid versus $14,027/yr at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus — a difference of $8,600 a year, or about $34,400 over four years.
Do Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates earn a median $42,386 ten years after entry, versus $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South — a $10,529 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.