Appalachian State University
#2 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 74% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,836 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,836 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 19.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.0 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $19.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,210,775.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 27% above the national college median.
-
A top feeder school for 1 major employer.
-
Every $1 invested returns $19.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.1%
- Top 90%
- Patents
- 13
- Linked to graduates
- Employer Pipelines
- 1
- Top feeder programs
- Patent Citations
- 28
- Downstream influence
Why Appalachian State University Matters
Appalachian State University is a public university in Boone, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 19,444
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Appalachian State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1120–1280. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,836 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,836 ten years after enrolling — 27% above the typical college, against $20,231 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 96% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 19,500 students, Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, is a solid choice for those looking to dive into fields like Business and Marketing, Biology, Education, Psychology, or Health Professions. The acceptance rate of 90% suggests that we can comfortably welcome a diverse group of students, making it an accessible option for many. This school suits individuals who prioritize a strong sense of community and a connection to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, while also seeking practical, career-oriented programs.
Looking at what happens after graduation, students from Appalachian typically see earnings around $51,836 a decade later. That’s a decent figure, especially for graduates entering fields with a focus on service and education. Many students find their footing in good-paying jobs, which speaks to the value of the education they receive. The affordability of this experience is noteworthy; with a net price of $16,836, it positions itself as a reasonable investment for families.
When we look at the financials, the median debt for graduates rests at $20,231. This is manageable for many, especially considering the earnings potential. Students who thrive here often come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and those who are proactive about utilizing campus resources typically find success. With a significant percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, it’s clear that Appalachian State is committed to supporting those who need it most, making it a place where many can flourish.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #4 Best Business Colleges in North Carolina
- #4 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina
- #5 Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina
- #6 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
- #7 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #7 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Appalachian State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Appalachian State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Appalachian State University, located in Boone, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,214. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1214
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1120–1280
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 78%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,281
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 22,255
- Admitted
- 18,489
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Appalachian State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 18% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 18%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 9%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 23%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 32% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Appalachian State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Appalachian State University is $25,212, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,836. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,325 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,231 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,579
- Out-of-State
- $25,212
- Avg Net Price
- $16,836
- Median Debt
- $20,231
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,325
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,600
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,204
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,382
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Appalachian State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Appalachian State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Appalachian State University earn a median of $51,836, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,663
- 8 Years
- $48,423
- 10 Years
- $51,836
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,643)
- 54%
- 100% (1,643)
- 54%
- 100% (1,643)
- 54%
- 100% (1,643)
- 54%
Where Grads Go
Appalachian State University is a top feeder for:
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of Appalachian State University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Bank of America ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2025
- Cintas ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- ECRS ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Lowe’s Companies ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Appalachian State University ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Ally Bank ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2025
- Wake Forest Baptist Health ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Vanguard ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
How Appalachian Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Appalachian State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Appalachian State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,836/year ($67,344 total). Graduates earn $51,836 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,278,119 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,210,775 (19.0× your investment). The median debt is $20,231, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 74% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $67,344
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,278,119
- Net Return
- $1,210,775
- ROI Multiple
- 19.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,836
- Median Debt
- $20,231
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Appalachian State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Appalachian State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.54%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $105,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.54%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $143,881
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Appalachian State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 13 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.13%
- Top 90% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 13
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 28
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,993,755
- Investment Income
- $8,901,426
Top Programs
The fields Appalachian State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24% $66,174 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $37,891 early-career
- Psychology 9% $26,191 early-career
- Education 7% $44,882 early-career
- Communications 7% $39,302 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $67,032 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $42,452 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $46,778 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Appalachian State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Appalachian State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Appalachian State University, located in Boone, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,214. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Appalachian State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Appalachian State University is $25,212, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,836. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,325 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,231 in federal student loans.
Is Appalachian State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Appalachian State University earn a median of $51,836, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Appalachian State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Appalachian State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.54%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $105,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Appalachian State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Appalachian State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Appalachian State University offer Early Decision?
No. Appalachian State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Appalachian State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 32% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Appalachian State University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Appalachian State University?
About 18% of admitted students choose to enroll at Appalachian State University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Appalachian State University.
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH · Close peer66% grad $52,581 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Utah State UniversityLogan, UT · Close peer58% grad $54,022 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · Close peer68% grad $56,118 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Close peer62% grad $55,146 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Appalachian State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Appalachian State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note