ASU vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Carolina Asheville is in Asheville, NC (Small City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1.

ASU vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville than ASU ($13,798 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 8% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($12,868 vs. $13,992).
• Appalachian State University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $78 more per year; $7,579.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at ASU than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $363 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Appalachian State University (90% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($8,014 vs. $7,683).

ASU vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 70 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

ASU vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $141 lower median loan debt than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,641).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($211 vs. $213).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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.