ASU vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

ASU vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or NC State? 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 NC State ($14,978 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 10.2% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($12,868 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $1,220 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at NC State than at Appalachian State University (about $7,635 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at Appalachian State University (51% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 45.7% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($11,675 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or NC State? 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 NC State and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 190 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming NC State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at NC State (3.83).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 31.8% at NC State.

ASU vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and NC State? 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($211 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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.