Austin Peay State University — College Profile

About

Austin Peay State University is a dynamic public institution in Clarksville, Tennessee, widely recognized for its robust programs in nursing and health sciences, education, and the fine arts through its state-designated Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts. The university features distinctive academic opportunities, including the state’s only four-year bachelor's degree in aviation science with a rotorcraft (helicopter) flight training concentration. Campus life offers a welcoming, tight-knit environment driven by active student organizations and the spirited rallying cry "Let's Go Peay." Located just miles from Fort Campbell, APSU uniquely stands out as Tennessee’s leading higher education provider for military-affiliated students and veterans.

Wikipedia: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.

Location

Clarksville, TN, 37044 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

BNA · Nashville

47 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$9,006$14,766

Housing & food (on campus)$13,430$13,430

Books & supplies$1,276$1,276

Cost of attendance$22,233$35,498

Average net price$9,735Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$14,766

In-state: $9,006

Housing & food (on campus)$13,430

Books & supplies$1,276

Cost of attendance$35,498

In-state: $22,233

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $9,735

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.apsu.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27

Austin Peay State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$16,012

Housing$8,370

Food$5,870

Books & supplies$1,358

Personal expenses$2,480

Transportation$1,408

Total published by the school$35,498

Source: www.apsu.edu · checked Sep 28, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$7,588

$30–48k

$8,768

$48–75k

$10,077

$75–110k

$13,537

$110k+

$15,078

Your family's actual price → Austin Peay State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

42%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

27%

Back for yr 2

70%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

43% graduated · 27% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 29% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$38,779

10 yrs after entry$44,301

Debt

Median at graduation$20,547

Monthly payment$218

Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25.7k

90th percentile$38,133

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

96%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1088

R 445–573 · M 398–553

ACT midpoint

Comp 18–24 · E 17–25 · M 16–23

SAT middle 50%: 843–1126

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Austin Peay State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 41%Women 59%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

14 : 1

Pell grant

44%

First-gen

40%

Family income

$31,930

Independent

37%

Veterans

Age at entry

23.0

Part-time

27%

Race & ethnicity

White

50%

Hispanic

12%

Black

22%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Beach Volleyball
Women's
Cross Country
Men's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$38,779

After 10 yrs

$44,301

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness140

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities139

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing121

Psychology, General111

Criminal Justice and Corrections85

Business Administration, Management and Operations82

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods65

Marketing62

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions49

Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General46

Social Work43

Agriculture, General37

Biology, General36

Fine and Studio Arts35

Accounting and Related Services28

Finance and Financial Management Services28

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$58M

Full-time faculty

100%

Faculty salary

$9,044/mo

Teaching spend

$9,781

per student

Federal loans

34%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (larger programs)

Research activity

Research college or university

$5M research spending · 9 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile