ASU vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

ASU vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UC? 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 UC ($14,978 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 5.1% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($12,868 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 84.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $6,397 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at UC than at Appalachian State University (about $4,098 more per year; $29,310.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Appalachian State University (73% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($8,196 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 70 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming UC 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; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UC (3.69).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UC (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 22.5% at UC.

ASU vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($211 vs. $237).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC 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.