ASU vs. UNCG

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than UNCG based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Carolina at Greensboro is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 18:1.

ASU vs. UNCG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UNCG? 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 at Greensboro than ASU ($11,404 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 16.9% lower than at Appalachian State University ($10,688 vs. $12,868).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $82 more per year; $7,661.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at ASU than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $1,200 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at Appalachian State University (87% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($9,863 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. UNCG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 50 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming ASU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at UNCG (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UNCG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UNCG (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 21.2% at UNCG.

ASU vs. UNCG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UNCG? 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 at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $2,237 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($211 vs. $235).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)

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.