University of South Alabama vs. Austin Peay State University

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

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
Location Mobile, AL Clarksville, TN
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 13,768 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #750 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $8,976 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $17,952 $12,552
Room & Board $8,830 $13,070
Avg Net Price $13,613 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 94%

Admission

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,593 5,559
Admitted 8,247 5,334
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 96%
Enrolled % 23.3% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 18/23
SAT Range 1015/1200 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 Jul 15, 2026 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 39% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $253 $232

Diversity

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 28% 9%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 63%
% Black 24% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

University of South Alabama Austin Peay State University
% In-State 73% 87%
% Out-of-State 26% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 9,945 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Austin Peay State University?

  • University of South Alabama is 28.1% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($8,976.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43% higher at University of South Alabama than Austin Peay State University ($17,952.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than Austin Peay State University ($13,613 vs. $14,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 48% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($8,830 vs. $13,070)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama as Austin Peay State University (94% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 32.3% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($11,247 vs. $8,500)

University of South Alabama vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 34 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

University of South Alabama vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Austin Peay State University (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $7,800 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($232 vs. $253)
  • More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 44%)

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