Austin Peay State University vs. Bethel

Should I go to Austin Peay State University or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Austin Peay State University or Bethel is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Austin Peay State University vs. Bethel University comparison
Austin Peay State University Bethel University College 3 College 4
Austin Peay State University
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Overview

Austin Peay State University Bethel
Location Clarksville, TN McKenzie, TN
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 9,326 4,686
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #1002
Religious Affiliation - Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apsu.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Austin Peay State University Bethel
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $16,222
Tuition (Out of State) $12,360 $16,222
Room & Board $12,274 $13,446
Avg Net Price $16,140 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $10,232 $13,396
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 96%

Admission

Austin Peay State University Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,362 2,489
Admitted 5,969 2,210
Acceptance Rate 93.8% 88.8%
Enrolled % 24.5% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 16/22
SAT Range 983/1170 928/1130
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2025

Academics

Austin Peay State University Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

Austin Peay State University Bethel
Graduation Rate 34% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $232 $292

Diversity

Austin Peay State University Bethel
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 46%
% Black 20% 40%
% Hispanic 6% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 6% 1%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Austin Peay State University Bethel
% In-State 88% 80%
% Out-of-State 11% 19%

Campus

Austin Peay State University Bethel
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Bethel based on total student enrollment (9,326 students vs. 4,686 students)

Austin Peay State University vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin Peay State University or Bethel?

  • Bethel University is 138% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($16,222.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.2% higher at Bethel than Austin Peay State University ($16,222.00 vs. $12,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than Austin Peay State University ($13,858 vs. $16,140)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Austin Peay State University are 9.5% lower than costs at Bethel University ($12,274 vs. $13,446)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University as Bethel University (96% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 30.9% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($13,396 vs. $10,232)

Austin Peay State University vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin Peay State University or Bethel? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel or Austin Peay State University .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 83 points higher than at Bethel (928)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than Bethel (88.8%)

Austin Peay State University vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Austin Peay State University or Bethel? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bethel and Austin Peay State University.

  • The graduation rate at Austin Peay State University is higher than Bethel University (34% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $5,300 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $5,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($22,500 vs. $28,250)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($232 vs. $292)
  • More Austin Peay State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/