Head-to-head comparison
University of Arkansas vs Harding University: which has better ROI?
Option A Fayetteville, AR
University of Arkansas
- Net price / year
- $18,209
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,191
- Payback
- 7.4 yrs
Option B Searcy, AR
Harding University
- Net price / year
- $22,130
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,876
- Payback
- 19.6 yrs
University of Arkansas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,836 in 7.4 years versus 19.6 years at Harding University, on median earnings of $58,191 vs $52,876 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arkansas | Harding University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,209 | $22,130 |
| Total net cost | $72,836 | $88,520 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,191 | $52,876 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $26,500 |
| Payback | 7.4 yrs | 19.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $123,784 | $1,800 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas or Harding University?
University of Arkansas, at $18,209 a year after aid versus $22,130 — a gap of $3,921 a year, or $15,684 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 or Harding University graduates earn more?
University of Arkansas graduates report a median $58,191 ten years after entry, $5,315 more than the $52,876 at Harding University. 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 or Harding University?
University of Arkansas: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $26,500 at Harding University, a difference of $5,000. 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?
71% of students finish at University of Arkansas, against 69% at Harding University. 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.