ASU Admission Requirements

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ASU Admission Overview

ASU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year ASU admitted 90.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.96 GPA (A) and SAT 1120-1280 / ACT 21-27. ASU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ASU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

90.1%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Appalachian State University

Acceptance Rate

The ASU acceptance rate is 90.1%. Last year, 22,188 of 24,614 applicants were admitted. That is the 50th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into ASU and can you get accepted?

ASU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Appalachian State University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.96. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ASU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.96

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.96

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at ASU typically have around a 3.96 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. ASU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

48% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Appalachian State University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 48.44% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.45% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 17.22% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 9.01% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.05% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.83% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

ASU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Appalachian State University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants with a weighted GPA below 2.8. Applicants at 2.8 or higher may omit scores. Students below 2.8 need a minimum SAT of 930 or ACT of 17; the CLT does not meet that requirement. Applicants who submit scores may self-report them, and App State superscores by using the highest section results across test dates. Official scores that match the self-report are required if you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.appstate.edu/apply/application-requirements

ASU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1120-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

9%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 570
  • Math 550
  • Composite 1120
SAT 25th percentile scores for Appalachian State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 660
  • Math 620
  • Composite 1280
SAT 75th percentile scores for Appalachian State University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at ASU typically score around a 1200 SAT (middle 50% 1120–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 76th percentile nationally. ASU ranks #15 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1120 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

ASU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Appalachian State University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1280+ Above 75th >94%
1200 to 1280 Avg + 90%-94%
1120 to 1200 Avg - 83%-90%
Below 1120 Below mid-50 <83%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ASU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-27

Freshmen reporting ACT

23%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 20
  • Math 19
  • Composite 21
ACT 25th percentile scores for Appalachian State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 27
  • Math 26
  • Composite 27
ACT 75th percentile scores for Appalachian State University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at ASU typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. ASU places #13 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 27

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to ASU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Appalachian State University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
27+ Above 75th >94%
24 to 27 Avg + 90%-94%
21 to 24 Avg - 83%-90%
Below 21 Below mid-50 <83%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

83% of Appalachian State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Appalachian State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 15.1%
Top 25% of class 43.91%
Top 50% of class 83%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the ASU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Appalachian State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 14,274 10,337 24,614
Accepted 13,033 9,152 22,188
Acceptance Rate 91% 89% 90%
Enrolled 2,263 1,774 4,038
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 19% 18%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Appalachian State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Appalachian State University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

154

Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Appalachian State University is $65.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Appalachian State University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

ASU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 90.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.96 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1120-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Appalachian State University often consider these colleges

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

GPA calculator: Appalachian State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026