Skip to main content
Return on Investment Analysis

University of Central Arkansas ROI Analysis

Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.

Quick answer

USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at University of Central Arkansas costs about $40,472 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $36,670 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 24.2 years (20-year ROI: -17%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$40,472

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$1,670/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

24.2 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

-17%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

Graduates of the University of Central Arkansas have a positive return on investment. One year after graduation, the average earnings are $39,167, which is more than the in-state tuition cost of $10,118. Five years after graduation, earnings are $36,670, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $45,938. The median debt for graduates is $20,346, and 41.7% of students receive financial aid.

The debt-to-income ratio for graduates can be calculated by dividing the median debt by the average annual earnings. Using the one-year earnings data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.52. This suggests that the debt is less than the annual income.

To calculate the break-even timeline, the median debt is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.7 years.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$10,118

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,346

Median Earnings (5yr)

$36,670

Graduation Rate

52%

Receive Financial Aid

42%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $40,472 $100,815 3152%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $40,472 $44,266 358%
Psychology, General $40,472 $38,715 84%
Business Administration, Management and Operations $40,472 $44,687 379%
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions $40,472 $52,912 785%
Biology, General $40,472 $41,909 241%
Health and Physical Education/Fitness $40,472 $43,218 306%
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services $40,472 $63,692 1318%
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other $40,472 $51,582 719%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas $40,472 $41,606 226%
Student Counseling and Personnel Services $40,472 $47,209 503%
Accounting and Related Services $40,472 $63,168 1292%
Marketing $40,472 $38,602 78%
Computer and Information Sciences, General $40,472 $59,965 1134%
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions $40,472 $77,049 1978%
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General $40,472 $47,717 528%
Finance and Financial Management Services $40,472 $58,261 1049%
Special Education and Teaching $40,472 $0 N/A
Business/Commerce, General $40,472 $51,195 700%
Music $40,472 $44,549 372%
Film/Video and Photographic Arts $40,472 $29,861 N/A
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication $40,472 $41,827 237%
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies $40,472 $0 N/A
Mathematics $40,472 $0 N/A

Peer Comparison

University of Central Arkansas Current

-17%

20yr ROI

North Carolina A & T State University

21%

20yr ROI

Georgia Gwinnett College

97%

20yr ROI

Strayer University-Arkansas

-43%

20yr ROI

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

-24%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$40,472
Median Debt$20,346

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$40,472

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, University of Central Arkansas has an estimated 20-year ROI of -17%. The total 4-year cost is $40,472 and graduates earn a median of $36,670 within 5 years.

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.

Back to University of Central Arkansas Colleges in Arkansas Compare Schools ROI Rankings