Appalachian State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 19,444 students.
About This School
Appalachian State University is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina with approximately 19,444 undergraduate students enrolled. Appalachian State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 90%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,836 per year. The graduation rate is 75%, and the typical graduate earns $43,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Appalachian State University, or App State, is a public research university in Boone, North Carolina, United States. It was founded as a teachers' college in 1899 by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty and the latter's wife, Lillie Shull Dougherty. The university expanded to include other programs in 1967 and joined the University of North Carolina System in 1971.
Worth considering if you're looking for an affordable public university experience in a scenic mountain setting — at just $16,487/year average net price and only $15,750 in median debt at graduation, App State is one of the better values in the Southeast. The 85% freshman retention rate suggests students are generally happy once they arrive, and the 73% graduation rate is solid though not exceptional. The one honest caveat: median earnings of $43,600 a decade after enrollment are modest, so students should be intentional about their major and career planning rather than assuming the degree alone will open doors.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (19,444 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
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Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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