Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Arkansas State University at a Glance
Arkansas State University is a public research university in Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States. It is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System and the second-largest university in the state. The university was founded in 1909 and is located atop 1,376 acres on Crowley's Ridge.
1909
117 years old
$153M
$153.4 million (2025)
17,926
481
1,376 acres
Identity
Is Arkansas State University Worth It?
Arkansas State University offers moderate value at $12,366/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $42,617, which is 21% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Arkansas State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #44 of 143 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #4 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #5 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #6 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #44 | Arkansas State University | 48 | $12,366 | $42,617 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Arkansas State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in AR.
Best Programs at Arkansas State University
The highest-earning program at Arkansas State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $21,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Arkansas State University earns $58,200, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $21,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,797 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,366/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,200 | $58,200 | $22,797 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $54,200 | $54,200 | N/A |
| Engineering, General | $53,700 | $53,700 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $45,900 | $45,900 | N/A |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,200 | $44,200 | $19,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $42,000 | $42,000 | $19,172 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $38,800 | $38,800 | $28,250 |
| Plant Sciences | $37,200 | $37,200 | $19,930 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $35,600 | $35,600 | $20,283 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,300 | $35,300 | $18,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,000 | $35,000 | $21,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,500 | $34,500 | $20,412 |
| Data Processing | $33,700 | $33,700 | $26,694 |
| Marketing | $33,400 | $33,400 | $21,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $33,000 | $33,000 | $19,926 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,800 | $32,800 | $18,166 |
| Social Work | $30,800 | $30,800 | $26,000 |
| Journalism | $30,700 | $30,700 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $15,605 |
| Criminology | $28,100 | $28,100 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,500 | $27,500 | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $24,534 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,600 | $26,600 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $24,900 | $24,900 | $23,383 |
| Sociology | $24,500 | $24,500 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $22,100 | $22,100 | $26,525 |
| Psychology, General | $22,000 | $22,000 | $22,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $21,900 | $21,900 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in AR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Jonesboro, AR
- Student Body
- 9,110 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,366
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,617
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500