Overview
Appalachian State University is a public university established in 1899. With a sprawling 1,200-acre campus, it enrolls 19,405 undergraduate students (as of fall 2023) and follows a semester-based academic schedule. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, it holds the #3 spot among Regional Universities in the South. For in-state students, tuition and fees come to $8,135, while out-of-state students pay $25,768.
At-a-Glance
- Setting: N/A
- In-state tuition & fees: $8,135
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,405
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
Appalachian State University Rankings
Here’s how the university stacks up in various categories:
- #3 in Regional Universities South
- #2 in Top Public Schools
- #34 in Best Value Schools
- #345 in Nursing (tie)
- #214 in Economics (tie)
- #41 in First-Year Experiences (tie)
- #2 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #3 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
- #3 in Most Innovative Schools
- #44 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
How Rankings Work
Appalachian State ranks #3 out of 135 Regional Universities South. These rankings are based on widely accepted measures of academic excellence.
U.S. News Overall Score: 94/100
- Outcomes (57%):
- Average 6-year graduation rate: 74%
- 6-year graduation rate (Pell Grant recipients): 66%
- 6-year graduation rate (non-Pell Grant recipients): 76%
Admissions
Appalachian State has an 89% acceptance rate, with an early acceptance rate of 89.4%. For admitted students who submitted test scores:
- SAT range: 1100–1280
- ACT range: 21–27
(25% scored above these ranges, 25% below.)
What Matters in Admissions?
- Very Important: GPA, high school class rank (if available)
- Not Considered: Letters of recommendation
Admissions Stats
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Application Fee: $65
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
Tuition & Financial Aid
- In-state tuition & fees: $8,135 (cheaper than the national average of $12,201)
- Out-of-state tuition & fees: $25,768 (below the national average of $29,084)
Total Cost (Including Room & Board, etc.)
- In-state: $24,089
- Out-of-state: $41,085
Net Price (After Aid & Scholarships)
- Average for federal loan recipients (2021-22): $14,765
- Breakdown by family income (2021-22):
- $0–$30,000: $7,715
- $30,001–$48,000: $10,023
- $48,001–$75,000: $14,949
- $75,001–$110,000: $19,120
- $110,001+: $20,133
- Food & Housing: $12,868
Academics
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
- Small Classes (Under 20 students): 39.2%
- Top Majors (2023 Graduates):
- Business, Management, Marketing (23%)
- Education (9%)
- Health Professions (9%)
- Parks, Recreation, Fitness (8%)
- Psychology (8%)
- Freshman Retention Rate (Student Satisfaction): 85%
Student Life
- Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 19,405
- Gender Distribution: 43.8% male, 56.2% female
- Housing: 32% live on campus, 68% off campus
- Athletics: NCAA Division I
Campus & Safety
The university provides various student services, including tutoring, health services, and childcare. Campus safety features:
- 24/7 security patrols
- Late-night transport/escort services
- Emergency phones & well-lit pathways
- Controlled dorm access
- Alcohol permitted for legal-age students