Appalachian State University

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Boone, NC
  • 4.3 10 reviews
#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

Overview

Total enrollment

21,570
Appalachian State University overview
Appalachian State University overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Appalachian State University sits in the town of Boone at an elevation of 3,333 feet. The 1,200-acre mountain campus, established in 1899 as a teacher training school, combines modern academic buildings with traditional brick architecture and mountain-style structures. The public university maintains moderate selectivity in admissions and offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs, with notable strengths in education, business, and sustainable technology. The Reich College of Education stands as one of the largest teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, while the Hayes School of Music and Walker College of Business have established strong regional reputations. Most first-year students live in one of the university's multiple residence halls, and the institution competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Mountaineers, with particular recognition for its football program.

Ratings

ASU is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    6 out of 10
  • Resources
    4 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Average
Appalachian State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1120/1280
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 21/27
  • GPA 3.96

Acceptance Rate

90.1%
Appalachian State University applications overview
  • Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 18.2%
  • Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

North Carolina Resident Tuition

$7,579

Out of State Resident Tuition

$25,212

Breakdown

In State Costs for Appalachian State University
  • Tuition $7,579
  • Books and Supplies $800
  • Other Fees $3,337
  • Room and Board $12,868
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,816
  • Total One Year Cost $27,400

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$41,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

65% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Appalachian State University are Business, Education, and Communication. 20% of students major in Business, 17% in Education, and 8% in Communication.

  • Business 20%
  • Education 17%
  • Communication 8%
  • Social Sciences 8%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Appalachian State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=197869.

GPA calculator: Appalachian State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026