Austin Peay State University vs Walters State Community College: 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 $37,085 at Walters State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Austin Peay State University | Walters State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,735 | $5,387 |
| Total net cost | $38,940 | $10,774 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,301 | $37,085 |
| Median debt | $20,547 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$120,120 | -$236,274 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Austin Peay State University or Walters State Community College?
Walters State Community College, at $5,387 a year after aid versus $9,735 — a gap of $4,348 a year, or $28,166 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 Walters State Community College graduates earn more?
Austin Peay State University graduates report a median $44,301 ten years after entry, $7,216 more than the $37,085 at Walters State Community 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 graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Austin Peay State University, against 33% at Walters State Community 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.