Nashville, TN, August 28, 2025
A quick breakdown of first-year median earnings for Austin Peay State University graduates and what those numbers mean for Nashville residents, employers, and prospective students. Nursing and clinical lab programs top the list with the strongest starting pay, followed by in-demand tech and education roles. Bachelor’s and associate degree holders show varied outcomes, from competitive healthcare salaries to lower starting pay in fine arts. The piece highlights which majors align with Nashville’s job market, offers hiring and career advice, and suggests pathways for students and employers to maximize local opportunities and workforce fit.
Heads Up, Nashville! What APSU Grads Are Earning — And What That Means for You
Listen up, Nashville. If you’re thinking about where to study, hire, or hire from in Middle Tennessee, these numbers from nearby Austin Peay State University are worth a look. Whether you’re a Music City resident checking options for your teen, a nurse on the rise, or a visitor curious about local talent pipelines, this is a quick, punchy breakdown of majors and first-year earning power.
Quick Takeaway
Some fields jump off the page with strong starting pay, while others prioritize mission over money. The big winners in first-year median earnings are in nursing and clinical lab work — and that’s not surprising given Nashville’s booming healthcare scene. But there’s opportunity across the board, especially if you combine a bachelor’s with a master’s or tap into local industries here in town.
Master’s Programs That Pay Off Early
- Registered Nursing and related nursing tracks — $82,500 median first-year earnings. Think nurse administrators and clinical specialists. Nashville’s hospitals and clinics make this a hot entry point.
- Curriculum and Instruction — $43,800. If education policy or curriculum design is your jam, these roles pay better than you might expect early on.
- Education — $40,700. School administration and higher-ed faculty positions are the typical path.
- Other master’s fields like Health & Physical Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Student Counseling range from roughly $35,000 to $39,600 — solid for service-oriented careers.
Bachelor’s Programs: Where Graduates Start Out
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science — $59,800. Medical lab techs are in demand across Nashville’s medical centers and research labs.
- Registered Nursing (BSN) — $53,200. Classic pathway into Metro Nashville’s healthcare job market.
- Computer and Information Sciences — $48,200. Tech roles are increasingly local with startups and healthcare IT hiring.
- Other bachelor’s fields range from about $34,000 (Business/Commerce) down to $17,000 (Fine & Studio Arts). Liberal arts, education, and social fields typically start in the mid-to-high $20Ks and low $30Ks.
Associate Degrees — A Solid, Quick Start
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies associate graduates show median first-year earnings around $32,671. That’s a decent springboard for further study or entry-level roles in nearby workplaces.
Why Nashville Matters to These Numbers
Nashville isn’t just music and hot chicken. It’s a regional hub for healthcare, education, government, and an emerging tech scene. That means graduates in nursing, clinical lab work, IT, and even education can often find higher-paying roles here compared to smaller towns. If you live in Nashville and hire grads, you’ll likely see strong returns from clinical, nursing, and tech backgrounds.
How to Use This Info — For Residents and Visitors Who Might Stay
- If you’re a local parent, encourage healthcare and IT pathways if starting salary matters.
- If you’re a recent grad in arts or humanities dreaming of Nashville, realize that creative fields may start lower paywise, but the city offers freelance, music, and cultural gigs to supplement income.
- For employers in Nashville: consider partnering with nearby campuses to tap into high-performing nursing and lab talent.
- Visitors considering moving here: these fields can help you land a job faster in the Nashville area.
Final Punch
APSU graduates are a mixed bag — some walk into six-figure annual potential with a master’s in nursing administration, others jump into fulfilling, lower-paying roles like social work or the arts. Nashville’s job market tends to favor healthcare and technology, so if you want to live and work here, those majors line up well with local demand.
FAQ
Who benefits most from APSU’s high-earning majors?
Students in nursing and clinical lab programs typically see the highest median first-year earnings, and they align well with Nashville’s healthcare industry demand.
Can arts and humanities majors still thrive in Nashville?
Yes. While first-year median pay tends to be lower, Nashville’s creative economy provides freelance, performance, and cultural roles that can supplement income and build a career.
Is a master’s degree worth it for higher pay?
For fields like nursing and education, a master’s can significantly boost starting earnings and open supervisory or specialized roles.
How do these earnings compare to Nashville salaries?
Nashville often offers competitive salaries, especially for healthcare and tech. Local demand can push these median starting figures higher for grads who stay in the region.
Are criminal justice and social work viable careers here?
Absolutely. They’re critical public service roles. Salaries start moderate but can grow with experience and advanced credentials in government agencies or nonprofit organizations around Nashville.
Where can I find entry-level jobs quickly in Nashville?
Healthcare (nursing, lab techs), IT, education, and some business roles tend to have steady entry-level openings. Networking locally speeds up the job hunt.
Quick Visual: Earnings Snapshot Table
This compact chart highlights key majors and their median first-year earnings — a quick guide if you’re deciding what to study or hire for in Nashville.
| Degree Level | Major | Median First-Year Earnings | Typical Career Paths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s | Registered Nursing & Related | $82,500 | Nurse admin, clinical specialist |
| Bachelor’s | Clinical/Medical Lab Science | $59,800 | Lab technician, clinical scientist |
| Bachelor’s | Registered Nursing (BSN) | $53,200 | Registered nurse, nurse educator |
| Bachelor’s | Computer & Info Sciences | $48,200 | Developer, IT admin |
| Master’s | Curriculum & Instruction | $43,800 | Curriculum developer, instructional coordinator |
| Associate | Liberal Arts & Sciences | $32,671 | Various entry roles / further study |
| Bachelor’s | Fine & Studio Arts | $17,000 | Artist, gallery roles |
Nashville listeners: consider where you want to land in the job market. If starting pay and local opportunities matter, healthcare and tech grads from nearby campuses are arriving ready to work. If you want a deeper breakdown for a specific major or plan, say the word — local insight coming right up.
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Author: HERE Nashville
The NASHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENashville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Nashville, Davidson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as CMA Fest, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, and Nashville Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Nashville Health Care Council, plus leading businesses in healthcare, automotive, and technology that power the local economy such as HCA Healthcare, Bridgestone Americas, and Asurion. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HEREMemphis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
