ASU vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Meredith College in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Meredith College is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Meredith College 10:1.

ASU vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Meredith? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Meredith ($14,978 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 3.1% lower than at Meredith College ($12,868 vs. $13,280).
• Meredith College is 502.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $38,051 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81% higher at Meredith than at Appalachian State University (about $20,418 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Appalachian State University (100% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 313.2% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($33,116 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Meredith? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Meredith and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 20 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

ASU vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Meredith? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.