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Austin Peay State University vs Concorde Career College-Memphis: which has better ROI?

Public, Clarksville TN · vs · Private for-profit, Memphis 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 $31,599 at Concorde Career College-Memphis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAustin Peay State UniversityConcorde Career College-Memphis
Net price / yr$9,735$24,563
Total net cost$38,940$98,252
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,301$31,599
Median debt$20,547$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$120,120-$433,472

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

Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Concorde Career College-Memphis?

Austin Peay State University, at $9,735 a year after aid versus $24,563 — a gap of $14,828 a year, or $59,312 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 Concorde Career College-Memphis graduates earn more?

Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $12,702 more than the $31,599 at Concorde Career College-Memphis. 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 Concorde Career College-Memphis?

Concorde Career College-Memphis: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $20,547 at Austin Peay State University, a difference of $11,047. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Concorde Career College-Memphis, 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 Concorde Career College-Memphis: frequently asked questions

Is Austin Peay State University or Concorde Career College-Memphis 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 Concorde Career College-Memphis?
Austin Peay State University: $9,735/yr net price after aid versus $24,563/yr at Concorde Career College-Memphis — a difference of $14,828 a year, or about $59,312 over four years.
Do Austin Peay State University or Concorde Career College-Memphis graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates earn a median $44,301 ten years after entry, versus $31,599 at Concorde Career College-Memphis — a $12,702 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.