Degree Dividend
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Austin Peay State University vs Brillare Beauty Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Clarksville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Cleveland TN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Austin Peay State University comes closer — median earnings $44,301 against a $38,940 total, vs $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAustin Peay State UniversityBrillare Beauty Institute
Net price / yr$9,735$17,894
Total net cost$38,940$71,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,301$24,728
Median debt$20,547$7,479
Payback
20-year net return-$120,120-$544,216

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Brillare Beauty Institute?

Austin Peay State University, at $9,735 a year after aid versus $17,894 — a gap of $8,159 a year, or $32,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Austin Peay State University or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?

Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $19,573 more than the $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Austin Peay State University or Brillare Beauty Institute?

Brillare Beauty Institute: its completers carry a median $7,479 in federal loans versus $20,547 at Austin Peay State University, a difference of $13,068. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

84% of students finish at Brillare Beauty Institute, against 40% at Austin Peay State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Austin Peay State University vs Brillare Beauty Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Austin Peay State University or Brillare Beauty Institute a better value?
Austin Peay State University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Brillare Beauty Institute?
Austin Peay State University: $9,735/yr net price after aid versus $17,894/yr at Brillare Beauty Institute — a difference of $8,159 a year, or about $32,636 over four years.
Do Austin Peay State University or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates earn a median $44,301 ten years after entry, versus $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute — a $19,573 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.