Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$39,280
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$2,008/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
19.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
2%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a relatively low in-state tuition of $9,820. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $37,011, and after ten years, earnings increase to $42,386. The median debt for graduates is $18,750, and 66.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.51. This suggests that the debt is about half of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
Based on the provided data, the break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the increase in earnings to cover the tuition cost, is less than one year. The difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost is $27,191.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,820
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$37,008
Graduation Rate
46%
Receive Financial Aid
67%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $0 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $0 | N/A |
| Business/Commerce, General | $46,872 | 504% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,592 | 439% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,791 | 1875% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $56,816 | 1011% |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | $0 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,322 | 1444% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,133 | -93% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
2%
20yr ROI
30%
20yr ROI
29%
20yr ROI
-4%
20yr ROI
27%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.