At $12,171/yr net price, Arkansas Tech University graduates earn $41,766/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,766/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,171 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,684 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,766/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,766/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,146/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,314/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,549/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,398/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,637/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,955 | $17,650 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $54,974 | $21,953 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,607 | $20,800 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $19,975 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $49,136 | $26,480 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $45,808 | $16,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,798 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $40,222 | $23,551 |
| Education, General. | Master | $38,649 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $38,289 | $15,500 |
The Risk Factor
48.7% of students at Arkansas Tech University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Arkansas Tech gives you a mixed financial return that leans heavily on which major you pick. The overall median earnings ten years out sit below what a bachelor's degree usually returns, and with a grad rate under half, plenty of students leave without the credential that makes the debt worth carrying. Your outcome here depends less on the school and more on your program.
Nursing is the clear winner. Graduates earn the most while carrying the lowest debt on the list, so the payoff comes fast. Mechanical engineering and computer science also clear the school's median by a wide margin, though mechanical engineers take on the heaviest debt load of any top program. Accounting sits at the bottom of the strong-program list and barely beats the school-wide median, so it pays off slowly compared to the technical fields.
The real risk is finishing at all. With about three in ten first-year students not returning and less than half graduating, the danger isn't debt from a completed degree , it's paying for years of school and walking away with loans and no diploma. Debt is manageable if you graduate. it's a trap if you don't.
The net price structure works in your favor if your family earns under $48k, where you pay a few thousand less than higher-income families. If your family earns between $75k and $110k, you actually pay more than the wealthiest bracket, so run the numbers before assuming aid scales with need.
This school fits you if you're heading into nursing, engineering, or computer science and you're confident you'll finish. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-paying majors, the combination of a low graduation rate and below-average median earnings makes this a gamble worth reconsidering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arkansas Tech University worth the cost?
Arkansas Tech University offers decent value with a low net price of $12,171 per year and modest debt levels around $21,000. However, graduates earn only $41,766 after 10 years, which limits long-term financial returns compared to other engineering and nursing programs elsewhere.
What are the best paying majors at Arkansas Tech University?
Nursing and mechanical engineering programs at Arkansas Tech University produce the highest earnings, with nursing graduates earning around $53,000-$58,000 annually. Computer science graduates earn about $52,000, while other programs typically pay significantly less.
How much debt do Arkansas Tech University students graduate with?
Arkansas Tech University students graduate with a median debt of $21,000, which is manageable compared to national averages. The low net price of $12,171 per year helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Arkansas Tech University?
Arkansas Tech University has a 48.7% graduation rate, meaning about half of students don't complete their degrees. This below-average completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.