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Head-to-head comparison

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: which has better ROI?

Public, Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith, AR

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Net price / year
$10,574
Earnings, 10 years
$41,102
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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith comes closer — median earnings $41,102 against a $21,148 total, vs $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Arkansas-Fort SmithArkansas State University Mid-South
Net price / yr$10,574$5,427
Total net cost$21,148$21,708
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,102$31,857
Median debt$18,250—
Payback——
20-year net return-$166,308-$351,768

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 Mid-South?

Arkansas State University Mid-South, at $5,427 a year after aid versus $10,574 — a gap of $5,147 a year, or $560 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 Mid-South graduates earn more?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates report a median $41,102 ten years after entry, $9,245 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 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.

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith vs Arkansas State University Mid-South: frequently asked questions

Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas State University Mid-South a better value?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith 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, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas State University Mid-South?
Arkansas State University Mid-South: $5,427/yr net price after aid versus $10,574/yr at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith — a difference of $5,147 a year, or about $560 over four years.
Do University of Arkansas-Fort Smith or Arkansas State University Mid-South graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates earn a median $41,102 ten years after entry, versus $31,857 at Arkansas State University Mid-South — a $9,245 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.