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Austin Peay State University vs Nossi College of Art and Design: which has better ROI?

Public, Clarksville TN · vs · Private for-profit, Nashville 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 $35,113 at Nossi College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAustin Peay State UniversityNossi College of Art and Design
Net price / yr$9,735$24,044
Total net cost$38,940$96,176
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,301$35,113
Median debt$20,547$33,498
Payback
20-year net return-$120,120-$361,116

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

Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Nossi College of Art and Design?

Austin Peay State University, at $9,735 a year after aid versus $24,044 — a gap of $14,309 a year, or $57,236 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 Nossi College of Art and Design graduates earn more?

Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $9,188 more than the $35,113 at Nossi College of Art and Design. 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 Nossi College of Art and Design?

Austin Peay State University: its completers carry a median $20,547 in federal loans versus $33,498 at Nossi College of Art and Design, a difference of $12,951. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Nossi College of Art and Design, 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 Nossi College of Art and Design: frequently asked questions

Is Austin Peay State University or Nossi College of Art and Design 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 Nossi College of Art and Design?
Austin Peay State University: $9,735/yr net price after aid versus $24,044/yr at Nossi College of Art and Design — a difference of $14,309 a year, or about $57,236 over four years.
Do Austin Peay State University or Nossi College of Art and Design graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates earn a median $44,301 ten years after entry, versus $35,113 at Nossi College of Art and Design — a $9,188 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.