Austin Peay State University vs The University of Tennessee-Martin: 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 $44,213 at The University of Tennessee-Martin. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Austin Peay State University | The University of Tennessee-Martin |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,735 | $10,701 |
| Total net cost | $38,940 | $42,804 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,301 | $44,213 |
| Median debt | $20,547 | $21,024 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$120,120 | -$125,744 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or The University of Tennessee-Martin?
Austin Peay State University, at $9,735 a year after aid versus $10,701 — a gap of $966 a year, or $3,864 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 The University of Tennessee-Martin graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $88 more than the $44,213 at The University of Tennessee-Martin. 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 The University of Tennessee-Martin?
Austin Peay State University: its completers carry a median $20,547 in federal loans versus $21,024 at The University of Tennessee-Martin, a difference of $477. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at The University of Tennessee-Martin, 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.