Austin Peay State University vs SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville: which has better ROI?
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 $39,544 at SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Austin Peay State University | SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,735 | $24,700 |
| Total net cost | $38,940 | $98,800 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,301 | $39,544 |
| Median debt | $20,547 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$120,120 | -$275,120 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville?
Austin Peay State University, at $9,735 a year after aid versus $24,700 — a gap of $14,965 a year, or $59,860 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 SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $4,757 more than the $39,544 at SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville. 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 SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville?
SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville: 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?
42% of students finish at SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville, 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.