Austin Peay State University vs. UTC

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

Austin Peay State University UTC
Location Clarksville, TN Chattanooga, TN
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 9,945 11,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #922 #815
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apsu.edu utc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Austin Peay State University UTC
Tuition (In State) $7,008 $8,232
Tuition (Out of State) $12,552 $16,296
Room & Board $13,070 $10,052
Avg Net Price $14,679 $13,801
Avg Grant Aid $11,247 $9,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

Austin Peay State University UTC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,559 9,096
Admitted 5,334 7,006
Acceptance Rate 96% 77%
Enrolled % 30.8% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 20/25
SAT Range 943/1165 1005/1185
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

Austin Peay State University UTC
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Austin Peay State University UTC
Graduation Rate 34% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,792
Median Loan Payment $232 $214

Diversity

Austin Peay State University UTC
% Men 4% 5%
% Women 9% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 75%
% Black 20% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Austin Peay State University UTC
% In-State 87% 88%
% Out-of-State 12% 11%

Campus

Austin Peay State University UTC
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

  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (11,380 students vs. 9,945 students)

Austin Peay State University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

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

  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is 17.5% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($8,232.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.8% higher at UTC than Austin Peay State University ($16,296.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga than Austin Peay State University ($13,801 vs. $14,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are 30% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,052 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 14.4% larger than aid received The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ($11,247 vs. $9,834)

Austin Peay State University vs. UTC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1087) is 76 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than UTC (77%)

Austin Peay State University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UTC is higher than Austin Peay State University (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga earn on average $3,200 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $37,400)
  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students graduate with a $1,708 lower median federal student loan debt than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($20,792 vs. $22,500)
  • UTC graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($214 vs. $232)
  • More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 44%)

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