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$8,868Tuition
1,868Students
43%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$36,902Earnings
#21 in ArkansasPublic4-yearNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24
Return on Investment: Good

At $14,013/yr net price, University of Arkansas at Monticello graduates earn $36,902/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,902/yr above the median for high school graduates.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for University of Arkansas at Monticello
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $14,013
Estimated 4-Year Cost $56,052
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $36,902/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$2,902/yr
Estimated Break-Even 19.3 years
Graduation Rate (6-year) 43.3%
Median Debt at Graduation $19,971

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for University of Arkansas at Monticello
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $12,803/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $12,742/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $14,976/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $18,179/yr
$110,001+ $18,311/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at University of Arkansas at Monticello
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. Certificate $64,791 $5,500
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $61,020
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $54,331
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $41,937
Management Information Systems and Services. Bachelor $41,205
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Master $38,870 $20,500
Accounting and Related Services. Bachelor $38,829
Health and Physical Education/Fitness. Bachelor $35,330 $20,000
Agricultural Business and Management. Bachelor $33,459
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Bachelor $31,133

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: Elevated Risk

43.3% of students at University of Arkansas at Monticello 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

The financial return at University of Arkansas at Monticello is weak. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit below $37,000, which barely clears what a high school graduate might make and leaves little room above the roughly $14,000 yearly net price and $20,000 in typical debt. The 43% graduation rate is the bigger problem: if you borrow but leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings bump.

Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner, with graduates earning around $54,000, roughly $12,000 more than business administration and management information systems, both in the low $40,000s. Accounting lands near $39,000. Health and Physical Education/Fitness sits at the bottom near $35,000 and carries $20,000 in debt, so that combination pays off slowly. If you enroll, nursing is the degree that makes the math work. the education and fitness track does not.

The specific risk is completion. With a 69% retention rate, nearly a third of first-year students don't return, and most programs outside nursing produce earnings that make debt repayment tight for years.

This school fits you if you're committed to nursing or, secondarily, business or MIS, and you want to stay in southeast Arkansas where regional wages are lower. If you're chasing an education or fitness degree with loans, look harder at the payoff first.

On price, families earning under $48,000 pay close to $12,800 a year, and the cost barely moves between the lowest brackets. Once your income passes $75,000, the net price jumps above $18,000 with no meaningful discount, so higher-earning families should weigh that full sticker against the modest earnings outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is University of Arkansas at Monticello worth the cost?

University of Arkansas at Monticello's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $36,902 ten years after enrollment against a net price of $14,013 per year. The 43% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.

What are the highest paying majors at University of Arkansas at Monticello?

Electromechanical technology programs lead with $64,791 average earnings, followed by nursing at around $54,000-$61,000. These technical and healthcare programs offer the strongest return on investment at the school.

How much debt do University of Arkansas at Monticello graduates have?

Graduates carry a median debt of $19,971, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with post-graduation earnings averaging under $37,000, debt payments could strain budgets for typical graduates.

Does University of Arkansas at Monticello have good financial aid?

The net price of $14,013 per year is relatively affordable for a four-year degree. However, the low graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs despite the reasonable cost.