ASU vs. PC

Should I go to Appalachian State University or Presbyterian College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU or PC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UNCW ECU WCU University of North Carolina at Asheville NC State UNC Charlotte UNC Chapel Hill JMU Tennessee Elon UofSC Clemson
Appalachian State University vs. Presbyterian College comparison
Appalachian State University Presbyterian College College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University Presbyterian College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 ASU PC
Location Boone, NC Clinton, SC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 21,253 1,136
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #597 #371
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu presby.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ASU PC
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $40,200
Tuition (Out of State) $21,238 $40,200
Room & Board $12,258 $12,713
Avg Net Price $14,712 $20,058
Avg Grant Aid $7,677 $37,241
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 100%

Admission

 ASU PC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,001 3,359
Admitted 21,275 2,430
Acceptance Rate 88.6% 72.3%
Enrolled % 19.9% 10.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 22/27
SAT Range 1100/1280 1080/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Sep 21, 2025

Academics

 ASU PC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • History (16%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

 ASU PC
Graduation Rate 65% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $26,108
Median Loan Payment $211 $269

Diversity

 ASU PC
% Men 3% 4%
% Women 6% 17%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 77%
% Black 3% 14%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 ASU PC
% In-State 87% 51%
% Out-of-State 13% 46%

Campus

 ASU PC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than PC based on total student enrollment (21,253 students vs. 1,136 students)

ASU vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or PC?

  • Presbyterian College is 847.7% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($40,200.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.3% higher at PC than Appalachian State University ($40,200.00 vs. $21,238.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than PC ($14,712 vs. $20,058)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 3.7% lower than costs at Presbyterian College ($12,258 vs. $12,713)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Presbyterian College than Appalachian State University (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 385.1% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($37,241 vs. $7,677)

ASU vs. PC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or PC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PC or ASU .

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 75 points higher than at PC (1082)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PC (24)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at PC (3.6)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than PC (72.3%)

ASU vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU or PC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PC and ASU.

  • The graduation rate at PC is higher than Appalachian State University (68% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from Presbyterian College earn on average $6,100 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $5,608 lower median federal student loan debt than PC graduates. ($20,500 vs. $26,108)
  • ASU graduates are paying $58 less per month on federal student loans than PC graduates. ($211 vs. $269)
  • More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/