Salem State University vs. Austin Peay State University

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

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Salem State University vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
Salem State University Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Location Salem, MA Clarksville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,239 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #783 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $910 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $12,552
Room & Board $16,378 $13,070
Avg Net Price $19,324 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $8,241 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,852 5,559
Admitted 4,637 5,334
Acceptance Rate 95.6% 96%
Enrolled % 17.5% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 990/1160 943/1165
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 Jun 1, 2026 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 42% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $248 $232

Diversity

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
% Men 5% 4%
% Women 17% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 63%
% Black 9% 20%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
% In-State 90% 87%
% Out-of-State 8% 12%

Campus

Salem State University Austin Peay State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No 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 Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 6,239 students)

Salem State University vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Austin Peay State University is 670.1% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($7,008.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78% higher at Austin Peay State University than Salem State University ($12,552.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than Salem State University ($14,679 vs. $19,324)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Austin Peay State University are 25.3% lower than costs at Salem State University ($13,070 vs. $16,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Austin Peay State University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 36.5% larger than aid received Salem State University ($11,247 vs. $8,241)

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

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University 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 Salem State University .

  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Salem State University (95.6%)

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

Which is better, Salem State University 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 Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Austin Peay State University (42% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $7,000 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($232 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 44%)

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