Columbus State vs. Austin Peay State University

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

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
Location Columbus, GA Clarksville, TN
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 7,479 9,326
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $12,360
Room & Board $12,080 $12,274
Avg Net Price $12,902 $16,140
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $10,232
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 96%

Admission

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 6,362
Admitted 3,398 5,969
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 93.8%
Enrolled % 30.4% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 18/24
SAT Range 900/1130 983/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025 Aug 4, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 31% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $232

Diversity

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 63%
% Black 37% 20%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Columbus State Austin Peay State University
% In-State 92% 88%
% Out-of-State 5% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (9,326 students vs. 7,479 students)

Columbus State vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Austin Peay State University is 55.9% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.8% higher at Columbus State than Austin Peay State University ($15,425.00 vs. $12,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Austin Peay State University ($12,902 vs. $16,140)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 1.6% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($12,080 vs. $12,274)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Austin Peay State University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 11.9% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($10,232 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 50 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than Columbus State (87.8%)

Columbus State vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Austin Peay State University is higher than Columbus State University (34% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates of Columbus State University and Austin Peay State University have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($37,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
  • More Austin Peay State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 37%)

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