Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay's Liberal Arts program leaves graduates earning nearly $2,000 less than the Tennessee median for this field—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. First-year earnings of $35,745 trail not only top performers like Lee University ($45,678) but also nearby Middle Tennessee State by almost $10,000. With 46% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on solid post-graduation outcomes, and these numbers suggest they're not quite getting them relative to other Tennessee options.

The debt picture is slightly better news: at $27,128, graduates borrow about $1,800 less than the state median, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.76. However, earnings growth over four years is minimal—just 3%—meaning graduates see their income plateau quickly rather than building momentum. Within Tennessee's landscape of 29 programs, this one sits squarely in the middle for both earnings and debt, which isn't necessarily problematic but doesn't offer a clear advantage either.

For families specifically targeting liberal arts in Tennessee, this program delivers baseline outcomes at a reasonable price. But if maximizing early-career earnings matters—particularly for students taking on debt—comparing offers from Middle Tennessee State or even Tennessee State is worth the effort. The nearly open admission means access is easy; the question is whether average outcomes justify choosing Austin Peay over stronger-performing alternatives within an hour's drive.