Business/Commerce at Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University's business program carries a significant caveat: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these earnings figures may not reflect the typical student experience. That said, the numbers tell a challenging story. Starting earnings of $35,699 fall in just the 5th percentile nationally for business programs—nearly $12,000 below what typical business graduates earn. While the program sits at the 40th percentile among Tennessee schools, that's partly because the state's median aligns closely with Austin Peay's debt load of $28,987. The bright spot is meaningful earnings growth: graduates see a 30% jump to $46,376 by year four, suggesting the degree does enable career progression.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means graduates owe roughly 10 months of their first year's salary—manageable but not comfortable given the below-average starting point. For a family considering Austin Peay's accessible 96% admission rate and service to a high proportion of Pell grant recipients, this program appears to fulfill a regional workforce need rather than position graduates for premium business careers. If your child is comparing options, note that Middle Tennessee State produces identical outcomes at the state median, while Christian Brothers delivers 60% higher starting salaries for what's likely a higher investment. Given the small sample size, request current placement data from Austin Peay directly before deciding.