Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Arkansas State University vary significantly by field of study, with health sciences and agriculture showing stronger earning potential than education and liberal arts programs. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this data to compare how different academic paths perform in the labor market and align program choice with career goals.
Analyzing 34 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for strong earnings, national rankings, and substantial enrollment at Arkansas State University.
#163 nationally
$52K median earnings
Earnings outcomes at Arkansas State University are led by health sciences programs, with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing producing median earnings of $64,306 for 205 graduates. Agribusiness follows at $54,197 with strong value scores and national recognition. Biology reaches $51,707, while several business programs cluster around $50,000-$52,000 in median earnings. These figures reflect the variation in career outcomes across different academic fields.
Several programs at Arkansas State University achieve strong national rankings within their respective fields. Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations ranks #24 nationally, reflecting the program's strength within Arkansas's agricultural economy. Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding achieves a #20 national ranking with solid value performance. General Studies ranks #107 nationally with the largest enrollment outside health sciences, serving students seeking flexible degree completion pathways.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Arkansas State University.
Engineering & Technology graduates earn 64K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. | #163 | $69,348★ | — | 23 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #222 |
Program rankings reflect labor market outcomes from federal College Scorecard data, measuring graduates' earnings six and ten years after enrollment. Earnings and debt figures represent medians for students completing specific degree programs, not institutional averages. Value scores combine earnings, debt levels, and completion rates to assess return on investment. Rankings compare programs nationally within the same field of study, showing how Arkansas State performs against other institutions offering similar degrees. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates included in federal reporting, with larger cohorts providing more reliable outcome estimates. Students should consider these quantitative measures alongside personal interests, career goals, and advanced degree requirements when selecting academic programs.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores, which combine earnings, debt levels, and completion rates, highlight programs delivering strong return on investment. Biology leads with a 52.7 value score, followed by Agribusiness at 52.1 and Forensic Social Work at 50.3. These programs balance solid earnings with manageable debt levels and strong completion rates, creating favorable conditions for graduates' financial outcomes and career advancement.
Loan affordability varies significantly by program, with health sciences offering excellent payment-to-income ratios under 8% of discretionary income. Agriculture and business programs typically achieve good affordability ratings with payments at 8-12% of discretionary income. Education and social science programs face more challenging affordability conditions, with payments reaching 18-25% of discretionary income due to more modest earnings relative to standard debt levels.
| $68,902 |
| — |
| 20 |
| Civil Engineering, General.Small sample | #172 | $64,583 | — | 15 |
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician. | #1 🏆 | $52,187 | — | 20 |
Business programs at Arkansas State show mixed outcomes, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading at $50,002 median earnings and Business Administration producing more modest returns at $46,196. Accounting Technology demonstrates solid earnings of $51,504 though with lower value scores.
These programs serve students seeking broad professional preparation, though earnings vary significantly based on specialization and career focus within the business sector.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #240 | $51,504★ | — | 41 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #172 | $50,002 | — | 59 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #290 | $46,196 | — | 121 |
| Digital Marketing. | #224 | $35,744 | — | 29 |
Health programs at Arkansas State University deliver the institution's strongest earnings outcomes, led by Adult Health Nurse/Nursing with median earnings of $64,306. This field produces the largest cohort of graduates at 205 students while maintaining solid value scores.
Allied health programs also show strong performance with earnings above $50,000. These programs excel for students seeking stable career paths with clear professional licensing pathways and strong regional employment demand.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #221 | $64,306★ | — | 205 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #57 | $51,618 | — | 41 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist.Small sample | #68 | $50,042 | — | 15 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | #47 | $46,751 | — | 32 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #128 | $41,144 | — | 31 |
Biology represents the primary science offering with $51,707 median earnings and strong value scores, ranking #175 nationally. This program demonstrates solid preparation for health professional schools and research careers.
The strong earnings and value performance indicate effective preparation for post-graduation opportunities, whether in immediate employment or graduate school continuation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry.Small sample | #55 | $63,165★ | — | 15 |
| Biology, General. | #173 | $51,707 | — | 47 |
| Algebra and Number Theory.Small sample | #241 | $39,009 | — | 11 |
Social sciences programs show varied outcomes, with Forensic Social Work standing out at $43,119 earnings and strong value scores, while Criminology and Psychology produce more modest earnings around $34,000-$36,000. These programs typically prepare students for graduate school or public service roles.
Students should consider advanced degree requirements for many career paths in these fields when evaluating undergraduate outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Social Work. | #92 | $43,119★ | — | 38 |
| Criminology. | #50 | $36,369 | — | 68 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #247 | $35,781 | — | 30 |
| Psychology, General. | #324 | $34,223 | — | 61 |
Advertising represents the communications field with $40,812 median earnings and moderate value scores. This program ranks #62 nationally, showing competitive performance in a specialized field.
The modest cohort size of 36 students suggests focused program delivery with individualized attention for students interested in marketing and advertising careers in regional markets.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising. | #66 | $40,812★ | — | 36 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #201 | $38,396 | — | 29 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #68 | $25,658 | — | 33 |
General Studies dominates this category with the second-largest enrollment at 172 students and median earnings of $36,883. This program ranks #107 nationally with strong value scores, serving students seeking flexible degree completion or broad liberal arts preparation.
The program's popularity and solid value performance indicate effectiveness for students with diverse career goals or those completing interrupted degree programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography.Small sample | — | $39,965★ | — | 8 |
| English Language and Literature, General.Small sample | #268 | $37,302 | — | 19 |
| General Studies. | #113 | $36,883 | $17,631 | 172 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation.Small sample | #235 | $30,954 | — | 14 |
| Applied Linguistics.Small sample | — | $25,194 | — | 5 |
Education programs at Arkansas State University reflect typical teacher preparation outcomes, with Agricultural Teacher Education leading at $40,170 and Adult and Continuing Education at $36,457. These programs serve students committed to educational careers despite more modest earnings potential.
Value scores remain moderate, reflecting the public service nature of teaching roles. Best suited for students prioritizing meaningful work over maximum earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #139 | $40,170★ | — | 66 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #210 | $36,457 | — | 102 |
Agriculture programs demonstrate exceptional value at Arkansas State University, with Agribusiness ranking #24 nationally and delivering $54,197 in median earnings. Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding also shows strong performance with $44,756 earnings and top-20 national ranking.
These programs benefit from Arkansas's agricultural economy and provide students with practical skills for regional industry needs. Best suited for students interested in agribusiness management and crop production.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #26 | $54,197★ | — | 53 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding. | #20 | $44,756 | — | 33 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #53 | $37,258 | — | 22 |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology. leads other & interdisciplinary with 43K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #134 | $43,288 | — | 79 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
