Head-to-head · 2026
Arkansas Baptist College vs Arkansas State University
Compare average net price ($10,627 at Arkansas Baptist College; $12,366 at Arkansas State University), ROI score (6.69 vs 8.62), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($28,418 vs $42,617), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Arkansas Baptist College; 82.3% at Arkansas State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Arkansas Baptist College | Arkansas State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.69 | 8.62 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,627 ✓ | $12,366 |
| 4-year avg net price | $42,508 ✓ | $49,464 |
| In-state tuition | $8,760 | $8,090 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,760 | $14,522 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $28,418 | $42,617 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 82.3% |
| Graduation rate | 7.4% | 55.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 23.4% | 78.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,375 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 342 | 9,110 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1090 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Arkansas Baptist College | Arkansas State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,715 ✓ | $10,098 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,741 | $9,255 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,496 | $12,205 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,055 | $15,839 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $16,444 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Arkansas Baptist College | Arkansas State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 24.3% | 3.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.7% | 15.1% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8.1% | 0.1% |
| Public Administration | 5.4% | 2% |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 5.4% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Arkansas Baptist College reports the lower average net price by $1,739 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,956 difference over four years ($42,508 vs $49,464).
Arkansas State University reports $14,199 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,617 vs $28,418). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 23.4% at Arkansas Baptist College and 78.1% at Arkansas State University. Median federal debt among completers is $25,375 vs $20,500, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Arkansas Baptist College vs Arkansas State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Arkansas Baptist College is cheaper — average net price $10,627 per year vs $12,366 at Arkansas State University. The annual difference of $1,739 adds up to about $6,956 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Arkansas State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,617 vs $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. The gap in the federal data is $14,199. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.