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Downtown Clarksville TNPhoto: GatewayPolitics · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Clarksville

Clarksville is home to Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University (7,285 students on campus) is inside the city. About 9% of Clarksville’s residents are enrolled in college, above Tennessee (5%).

Austin Peay State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Clarksville. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
7,285 students on campus
Nearest college
2.3 mi
Austin Peay State
Residents in college
9%
Above TN (5%)
Nearest community college
40.3 mi
Nashville State · $4,730 tuition
Nearest public university
2.3 mi
Austin Peay State · $9,006 in-state
Median household income
$69K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Clarksville

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in ClarksvilleAustin Peay State University has 7,285 students on campus in Clarksville, 40% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Austin Peay StateLiving in Tennessee, Austin Peay State University charges $9,006 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,766. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 40.3 miles awayNashville State Community College in Nashville: tuition and fees $4,730 a year for Tennessee residents.Students are 9% of residentsAbove Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Clarksville

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Clarksville.

5 mi10 mi15 miAustin Peay StateClarksville
University or collegeCommunity college
Austin Peay State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 7,285 on campus · In Clarksville96%admitted$10knet price40%graduate$44kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Clarksville’s median household income ($69,303) falls.

Austin Peay State UniversityIn Clarksville · sticker $22,233$10,077a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Clarksville: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Austin Peay State
Austin Peay State University40% graduate$44k earnings$21k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Clarksville

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Austin Peay State University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 40%Business 10%Health professions 10%Parks & recreation 6%Education 5%Public safety 4%Everything else 26%

Biggest programs

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness140 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities139 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing121 graduates a year
$74k4 yrs out
Psychology, General111 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections85 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations82 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods65 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Marketing62 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Clarksville

Is Clarksville a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Clarksville residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, Austin Peay State University, has 7,285 students on campus.

What colleges are in Clarksville?

Austin Peay State University is inside the city. Nashville State Community College is 40.3 miles away in Nashville.

What is the closest community college to Clarksville, and what does it cost?

Nashville State Community College in Nashville, 40.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,730 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $6,777, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Austin Peay State University cost if we live in Tennessee?

Tuition and fees are $9,006 a year in-state and $14,766 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,588 (under $30,000 income) to $15,078 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Clarksville. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →