Austin Peay State University vs Tusculum University: 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 $44,367 at Tusculum University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Austin Peay State University | Tusculum University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,735 | $21,131 |
| Total net cost | $38,940 | $84,524 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,301 | $44,367 |
| Median debt | $20,547 | $23,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$120,120 | -$164,384 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Tusculum University?
Austin Peay State University, at $9,735 a year after aid versus $21,131 — a gap of $11,396 a year, or $45,584 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 Tusculum University graduates earn more?
Tusculum University graduates report a median $44,367 ten years after entry, $66 more than the $44,301 at Austin Peay State University. 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 Tusculum University?
Austin Peay State University: its completers carry a median $20,547 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Tusculum University, a difference of $2,703. 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 25% at Tusculum 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.