Austin Peay State University vs. ETSU

Should I go to Austin Peay State University or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Austin Peay State University or ETSU 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. East Tennessee State University comparison
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Austin Peay State University East Tennessee State University
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Overview

Austin Peay State University ETSU
Location Clarksville, TN Johnson City, TN
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 9,326 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apsu.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Austin Peay State University ETSU
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $12,360 $11,532
Room & Board $12,274 $9,613
Avg Net Price $16,140 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $10,232 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

Austin Peay State University ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,362 9,609
Admitted 5,969 8,193
Acceptance Rate 93.8% 85.3%
Enrolled % 24.5% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/26
SAT Range 983/1170 980/1190
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 ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Austin Peay State University ETSU
Graduation Rate 34% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $211

Diversity

Austin Peay State University ETSU
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 20% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Austin Peay State University ETSU
% In-State 88% 75%
% Out-of-State 11% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 9,326 students)

Austin Peay State University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

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

  • East Tennessee State University is 13.3% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($7,722.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.2% higher at Austin Peay State University than East Tennessee State University ($12,360.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than Austin Peay State University ($14,350 vs. $16,140)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 27.7% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($9,613 vs. $12,274)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than Austin Peay State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 17.1% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($10,232 vs. $8,739)

Austin Peay State University vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 57 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than ETSU (85.3%)

Austin Peay State University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Austin Peay State University or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Austin Peay State University.

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Austin Peay State University (44% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $37,400)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,500)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($211 vs. $232)
  • More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 44%)

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