At $14,846/yr net price, Austin Peay State University graduates earn $44,301/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,301/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,846 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,384 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,301/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,301/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,547 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,559/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,983/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,365/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,443/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,140/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $87,697 | $44,596 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $60,226 | $12,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,214 | $23,365 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $50,677 | $22,246 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $49,058 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $46,087 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $45,584 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $44,021 | $35,766 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Master | $43,798 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $41,937 |
The Risk Factor
44.5% of students at Austin Peay State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Austin Peay State University gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return. The median graduate earns enough to cover the roughly $20,500 in debt most students carry, but a 44.5% graduation rate means fewer than half of you finish, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the biggest risk here.
Your major decides almost everything. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science pays the most and comes with the lowest debt on the list, so you graduate around $60,000 in earnings while owing about $12,500. Nursing pays nearly as well but loads you with more debt, so the net gain is smaller. Computer and Information Sciences lands in a solid middle spot. History sits at the bottom near $37,000, and against a similar debt load to nursing, the math works far worse.
The health and lab pipeline fits the Clarksville region and the nearby Nashville medical market, so those degrees convert directly into local jobs. If you're aiming at history or another lower-earning field, expect a longer road to paying off what you borrowed.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay several thousand less per year than families above $75,000, who pay close to the same amount whether they earn $75,000 or over $110,000. That flat top tier means middle and upper-middle families get little price break.
This school is a good financial fit if you commit to a health, lab, or computing major and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to low-earning fields, or if the 66.85% retention rate worries you about your own odds of making it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin Peay State University worth the cost?
Austin Peay State University offers moderate value with a relatively low net price of $14,846 annually and median debt under $21,000. However, graduates earn $44,301 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for college graduates, and only 44% of students graduate within six years.
What are the best paying majors at Austin Peay State University?
Nursing programs at Austin Peay lead to the highest earnings, with some nursing graduates earning over $87,000 annually. Clinical laboratory science ($60,226) and computer science ($50,677) also offer solid returns on investment.
How much debt do Austin Peay State University graduates have?
Austin Peay graduates carry a median debt of $20,547, which is manageable compared to national averages. The low net price helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Austin Peay State University?
Only 44.5% of Austin Peay students graduate within six years, which is significantly below the national average. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.