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