ASU vs. SU

Should I go to Appalachian State University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU or SU 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.
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Appalachian State University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Appalachian State University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University Shenandoah University
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Overview

 ASU SU
Location Boone, NC Winchester, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 21,253 4,343
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #597 #523
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ASU SU
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $34,614
Tuition (Out of State) $21,238 $34,614
Room & Board $12,258 $11,800
Avg Net Price $14,712 $26,400
Avg Grant Aid $7,677 $24,100
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 100%

Admission

 ASU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,001 3,763
Admitted 21,275 2,929
Acceptance Rate 88.6% 77.8%
Enrolled % 19.9% 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/26
SAT Range 1100/1280 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 ASU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 ASU SU
Graduation Rate 65% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $211 $258

Diversity

 ASU SU
% Men 3% 9%
% Women 6% 31%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 85% 59%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 13%

Students

 ASU SU
% In-State 87% 58%
% Out-of-State 13% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than SU based on total student enrollment (21,253 students vs. 4,343 students)

ASU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or SU?

  • Shenandoah University is 716% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($34,614.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63% higher at SU than Appalachian State University ($34,614.00 vs. $21,238.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than SU ($14,712 vs. $26,400)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 3.9% lower than costs at Appalachian State University ($11,800 vs. $12,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Appalachian State University (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 213.9% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($24,100 vs. $7,677)

ASU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 152 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at SU (3.7)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than SU (77.8%)

ASU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU or SU? 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 SU and ASU.

  • The graduation rate at ASU is higher than Shenandoah University (65% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $6,700 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,000)
  • ASU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than SU graduates. ($211 vs. $258)
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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