The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Austin Peay State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville holds a 37-point ROI advantage over Austin Peay State University, scoring 73/100 versus 36/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Austin Peay State University comes in at $9,735 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,976 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville - a difference of $9,241 annually, or roughly $36,964 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn a median of $60,249 compared to $44,301 at Austin Peay State University. The payback period is 8.6 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville versus 19.2 years at Austin Peay State University.
Graduates leave The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a median $20,500 in debt versus $20,547 at Austin Peay State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.65 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Tenness... | Austin Peay State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,812 | $9,006 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,256 | $14,766 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,976 | $9,735 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $75,904 | $38,940 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,600 | $31,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,249 | $44,301 |
| Graduation Rate | 73.9% | 40.2% |
| Payback Period | 8.6 yr | 19.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $20,547 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $218 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.65 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.5% | 62.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 73.9% | 50.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.6% | 96.4% |
| Enrollment | 30,418 | 7,560 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1370 | 843-1126 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | Austin Peay State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,029 | $7,588 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,162 | $8,768 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,206 | $10,077 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $23,627 | $13,537 |
| $110,001+ | $25,688 | $15,078 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | Austin Peay State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $89,445 | $58,409 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $83,793 | $71,567 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $82,074 | $55,567 |
| Chemistry | $79,736 | $42,475 |
| Registered Nursing | $77,118 | $73,564 |
| Marketing | $70,661 | $53,734 |
| International Relations | $60,073 | $48,840 |
| Biology | $58,149 | $48,991 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,394 | $43,511 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,020 | $45,080 |
| Sociology | $53,635 | $43,612 |
| History | $52,505 | $40,317 |
| Psychology | $49,003 | $41,303 |
| Social Work | $48,510 | $44,152 |
| Music | $46,701 | $45,100 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Austin Peay State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 73 | 52 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 71 | 28 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 75 | 39 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 84 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 59 | 21 |
| Overall ROI Score | 73 | 36 |
The Verdict
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville significantly outperforms Austin Peay State University on financial ROI (73 vs 36). The 37-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Austin Peay State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Austin Peay State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.