University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock at a Glance
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public research university in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. The university resides on a 250-acre (100 ha) campus, which encompasses more than 56 buildings including the Center for Nanotechnology Integrative Sciences, the Emerging Analytics Center, the Sequoyah Research Center, and the Ottenheimer Library. Additionally, UA Little Rock houses special learning facilities that include a learning resource center, art galleries, KUAR public radio …
1927
99 years old
$145M
$144.56 million (2024)
8,026
362
Identity
Is University of Arkansas at Little Rock Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,265 — 16% below average — while paying $17,248/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Arkansas at Little Rock has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Arkansas at Little Rock compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #94 of 121 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #94 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 27 | $17,248 | $45,265 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Arkansas at Little Rock's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The highest-earning program at University of Arkansas at Little Rock is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Arkansas at Little Rock earns $67,500, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,800. 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 $20,609 in median debt vs. $21,856 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,248/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 | $67,500 | $67,500 | $20,609 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,000 | $45,000 | $22,948 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,000 | $43,000 | $28,562 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,700 | $39,700 | $24,676 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $19,530 |
| Public Health | $32,100 | $32,100 | N/A |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $26,162 |
| Biology, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $20,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,000 | $30,000 | $23,208 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,200 | $29,200 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $29,100 | $29,100 | $20,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,200 | $26,200 | $18,072 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,800 | $24,800 | $22,015 |
| Psychology, General | $23,800 | $23,800 | $21,856 |
Similar Colleges in AR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Little Rock, AR
- Student Body
- 4,949 students
- Admission Rate
- 59%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,248
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,265
- Median Student Debt
- $22,000