Russellville, AR · Private University
Is Arkansas Tech University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$41,766
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,508
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,502
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$58,008
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.88x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,171
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Arkansas Tech University graduates earn $3,234 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Arkansas Tech University ranked by graduate earnings
68 graduates
43 graduates
163 graduates
32 graduates
24 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Arkansas Tech University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Arkansas Tech University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Mechanical Engineering: $76,613) and the lowest (Hospitality Administration/Management: $27,969) is $48,644/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical EngineeringBest ROI | $76,613 | 5.3x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $72,112 | 5.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $69,283 | 4.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,390 | 4.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,014 | 4.1x |
| Sociology | $48,474 | 3.3x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $43,118 | 3.0x |
| Homeland Security | $43,114 | 3.0x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $42,825 | 3.0x |
| Biology, General | $41,491 | 2.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,009 | 2.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,422 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $39,589 | 2.7x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,367 | 2.7x |
| Psychology, General | $35,984 | 2.5x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $35,336 | 2.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,227 | 2.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections(1yr data) | $35,207 | 2.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management(1yr data) | $35,073 | 2.4x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $35,063 | 2.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,783 | 2.4x |
| Journalism | $32,282 | 2.2x |
| Hospitality Administration/ManagementLowest(1yr data) | $27,969 | 1.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Arkansas Tech University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $41,766 10 years after starting, $3,234 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.6 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.