ASU vs. SCC

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than SCC based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 4,115 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Sandhills Community College is in Pinehurst, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sandhills Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Sandhills Community College 14:1.

ASU vs. SCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or SCC? 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 Sandhills Community College than ASU ($6,513 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 27.6% lower than at Sandhills Community College ($12,868 vs. $17,780).
• Appalachian State University is 271.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCC (about $5,539 more per year; $7,579.00 vs. $2,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 279.2% higher at ASU than at Sandhills Community College (about $18,564 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $6,648.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sandhills Community College than at Appalachian State University (88% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Sandhills Community College students ($8,014 vs. $7,146).

ASU vs. SCC Admissions comparison

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

• Sandhills Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; SCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.

ASU vs. SCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and SCC? 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).

• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than SCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $27,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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.