PennWest California vs. Austin Peay State University

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

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
Location California, PA Clarksville, TN
Setting Town Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 6,509 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1038 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calu.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $11,574 $12,552
Room & Board $10,416 $13,070
Avg Net Price - $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $0 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 0% 94%

Admission

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 5,559
Admitted - 5,334
Acceptance Rate 96%
Enrolled % 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 940/1150 943/1165
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2026 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 53% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $232

Diversity

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
% Men 39% 4%
% Women 61% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 63%
% Black 12% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

PennWest California Austin Peay State University
% In-State 86% 87%
% Out-of-State 13% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 6,509 students)

PennWest California vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

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

  • PennWest California is 10.1% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.4% higher at Austin Peay State University than PennWest California ($12,552.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 25.5% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,416 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than PennWest California (94% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($11,247 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 89 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)

PennWest California vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PennWest California or Austin Peay 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 Austin Peay State University and PennWest California.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Austin Peay State University (53% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $5,100 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 44%)

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