Head-to-head comparison
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith vs Arkansas State University-Beebe: which has better ROI?
Option A Fort Smith, AR
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
- Net price / year
- $10,574
- Earnings, 10 years
- $41,102
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Beebe, AR
Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Net price / year
- $11,698
- Earnings, 10 years
- $36,603
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Arkansas-Fort Smith comes closer — median earnings $41,102 against a $21,148 total, vs $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Arkansas State University-Beebe |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,574 | $11,698 |
| Total net cost | $21,148 | $46,792 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,102 | $36,603 |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $8,093 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$166,308 | -$281,932 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas State University-Beebe?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, at $10,574 a year after aid versus $11,698 — a gap of $1,124 a year, or $25,644 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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas State University-Beebe graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates report a median $41,102 ten years after entry, $4,499 more than the $36,603 at Arkansas State University-Beebe. 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, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas State University-Beebe?
Arkansas State University-Beebe: its completers carry a median $8,093 in federal loans versus $18,250 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, a difference of $10,157. 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?
42% of students finish at Arkansas State University-Beebe, against 38% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. 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.