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Austin Peay State University vs Le Moyne-Owen College: which has better ROI?

Public, Clarksville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, 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 $35,594 at Le Moyne-Owen College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAustin Peay State UniversityLe Moyne-Owen College
Net price / yr$9,735$7,099
Total net cost$38,940$28,396
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,301$35,594
Median debt$20,547$28,070
Payback
20-year net return-$120,120-$283,716

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

Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Le Moyne-Owen College?

Le Moyne-Owen College, at $7,099 a year after aid versus $9,735 — a gap of $2,636 a year, or $10,544 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 Le Moyne-Owen College graduates earn more?

Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $8,707 more than the $35,594 at Le Moyne-Owen College. 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 Le Moyne-Owen College?

Austin Peay State University: its completers carry a median $20,547 in federal loans versus $28,070 at Le Moyne-Owen College, a difference of $7,523. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

40% of students finish at Austin Peay State University, against 27% at Le Moyne-Owen College. 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 Le Moyne-Owen College: frequently asked questions

Is Austin Peay State University or Le Moyne-Owen College 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 Le Moyne-Owen College?
Le Moyne-Owen College: $7,099/yr net price after aid versus $9,735/yr at Austin Peay State University — a difference of $2,636 a year, or about $10,544 over four years.
Do Austin Peay State University or Le Moyne-Owen College graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates earn a median $44,301 ten years after entry, versus $35,594 at Le Moyne-Owen College — a $8,707 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.