Austin Peay State University vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to Austin Peay State University or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Austin Peay State University or Tennessee State University 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. Tennessee State University comparison
Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
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Overview

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
Location Clarksville, TN Nashville, TN
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 9,945 8,198
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #922 #998
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apsu.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $7,008 $7,320
Tuition (Out of State) $12,552 $21,036
Room & Board $13,070 $10,120
Avg Net Price $14,679 $9,231
Avg Grant Aid $11,247 $15,589
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 94%

Admission

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,559 12,890
Admitted 5,334 11,940
Acceptance Rate 96% 92.6%Open
Enrolled % 30.8% 14.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 16/21
SAT Range 943/1165 856/1068
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2025

Academics

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 34% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $289

Diversity

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 9% 11%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 63% 14%
% Black 20% 70%
% Hispanic 6% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 0% 11%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University
% In-State 87% 32%
% Out-of-State 12% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 8,198 students)

Austin Peay State University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Tennessee State University is 4.5% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($7,320.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.6% higher at Tennessee State University than Austin Peay State University ($21,036.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than Austin Peay State University ($9,231 vs. $14,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 29.2% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,120 vs. $13,070)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University as Tennessee State University (94% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 38.6% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($15,589 vs. $11,247)

Austin Peay State University vs. Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Tennessee State University (92.6%)

Austin Peay State University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Tennessee State University is higher than Austin Peay State University (36% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Tennessee State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $28,000)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($232 vs. $289)
  • More Austin Peay State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 29%)

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