Fayetteville, AR · Private University
Is University of Arkansas Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,191
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,748
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,772
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$115,088
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.02x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
70.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,525
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Arkansas graduates earn $13,191 more 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 University of Arkansas ranked by graduate earnings
19 graduates
51 graduates
66 graduates
28 graduates
53 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Arkansas
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Arkansas, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $103,783) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $23,810) is $79,973/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $103,783 | 3.6x |
| Industrial Engineering | $94,760 | 3.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,785 | 3.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $91,279 | 3.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $82,623 | 2.9x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $75,471 | 2.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $75,174 | 2.6x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $75,169 | 2.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $74,571 | 2.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $69,566 | 2.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,398 | 2.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,084 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $66,956 | 2.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,626 | 2.3x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $64,718 | 2.3x |
| International Business | $64,220 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics | $63,050 | 2.2x |
| Chemistry | $62,909 | 2.2x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $59,723 | 2.1x |
| Architecture | $58,212 | 2.0x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $57,004 | 2.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $55,403 | 1.9x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $54,527 | 1.9x |
| Food Science and Technology(1yr data) | $53,205 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,795 | 1.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $51,993 | 1.8x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $51,683 | 1.8x |
| Journalism | $51,403 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,455 | 1.8x |
| Business/Commerce, General(1yr data) | $49,307 | 1.7x |
| Public Health | $48,807 | 1.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,428 | 1.7x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $48,029 | 1.7x |
| Animal Sciences | $47,873 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,804 | 1.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,801 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $46,685 | 1.6x |
| Psychology, General | $44,385 | 1.5x |
| History | $44,050 | 1.5x |
| Sociology | $44,028 | 1.5x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $43,893 | 1.5x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $43,887 | 1.5x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $43,718 | 1.5x |
| Education, General | $43,274 | 1.5x |
| Agricultural Public Services | $42,243 | 1.5x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $41,782 | 1.4x |
| Social Work | $41,601 | 1.4x |
| Music | $40,883 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,654 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $37,666 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,618 | 1.3x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General(1yr data) | $36,588 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $32,512 | 1.1x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $31,087 | 1.1x |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services(1yr data) | $29,241 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $23,810 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | 2.02x | $58,191 | Strong ROI |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | 2.23x | $57,413 | Strong ROI |
| Texas Tech University | 2.55x | $62,454 | Strong ROI |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 2.37x | $63,126 | Strong ROI |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 1.85x | $63,403 | Good ROI |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 2.62x | $57,289 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Arkansas stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $58,191 10 years after starting — $13,191 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5 years — faster than most colleges.
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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.