Austin Peay State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 7,365 students.
About This School
Austin Peay State University is a public institution located in Clarksville, Tennessee with approximately 7,365 undergraduate students enrolled. Austin Peay State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,846 per year. The graduation rate is 45%, and the typical graduate earns $38,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Austin Peay State University is a public university in Clarksville, Tennessee, United States. Standing on a site occupied by a succession of educational institutions since 1845, the precursor of the university was established in 1927 and named for then-sitting Governor Austin Peay, who is further honored with "Governors", the name of the university's athletic teams. Affiliated with the Tennessee Board of Regents, it is now governed by the Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees as of May 2017. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and, in 2012, was the fastest-growing university in Tennessee. In 2025, Austin Peay State University hit 11,185 registered students for the fall semester.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: with a 96% acceptance rate and an average net price of just $14,846/year, this is one of the more accessible and affordable public university options in Tennessee. However, the 45% graduation rate and 67% freshman retention rate are real concerns — fewer than half of students who start here finish, which is worth taking seriously. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and have a clear plan to stay on track, but come in with eyes open about the completion challenges this campus sees.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,365 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Tennessee
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Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · Public
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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