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Boone , NC
Appalachian State University, located in the small town of Boone, North Carolina, is a public university known for its strong academic programs and breathtaking mountain setting. With a student population of over 19,000, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees across various disciplines. The university is particularly renowned for its programs in education, business, health sciences, and sustainable development.
One of the key highlights of Appalachian State University is its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The university has earned numerous accolades for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices. In fact, it was the first university in North Carolina to go carbon neutral. Appalachian State also offers several degrees and programs in sustainability studies and actively promotes research and innovation in this area.
Additionally, Appalachian State University offers students a vibrant campus life with a multitude of extracurricular activities and organizations. The university hosts a diverse range of clubs and organizations catering to various interests such as athletics, arts, cultural groups, and community service. Appalachian State's athletic teams, known as the Mountaineers, compete in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference and have achieved success in multiple sports, including football and basketball. The university's picturesque location also provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, skiing, and biking.
In conclusion, Appalachian State University offers a unique educational experience in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. With its strong academic programs, emphasis on sustainability, and vibrant campus life, it provides students with ample opportunities to grow academically, personally, and professionally. Whether students are interested in pursuing a degree in education, business, health sciences, or sustainable development, Appalachian State offers a supportive and dynamic environment for their educational journey.
Appalachian State University is a public university located in Boone, NC. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 90%. The freshman retention rate at Appalachian State University is 84% and the six-year graduation rate is 75%.
To find out more about what Appalachian State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
19,560
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
75%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. What are the admission requirements for Appalachian State University?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 22,188 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
8.77% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 22.81% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 5.37% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 45.76% between 1,200 and 1,399, 44.07% between 1,000 and 1,199, 4.24% between 800 and 999, and 0.56% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 11.29, 45.6 between 24-29, 35.72 in the range between 18-23, 7.28 between 12-17, and 0.11 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 24 and the average GPA was 3.84. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Appalachian State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 610 and an average SAT Math score of 587.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Appalachian State University was 84%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Appalachian State University in 2025 was 21,570.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 9.74. There was a total of 19,560 undergraduate students, including 91 international students. 1,362 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,455 male and 10,637 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. There were 301 full-time graduate male and 557 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 326 Asian students and 600 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,832 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 932 as multirace. The school also had 6 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 30 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 359 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Appalachian State University estimated tuition costs.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $4,242. Tuition fees were $22,532 for students coming from out of state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $22,532, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $3,980 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,532 | $3,980 | $26,512 |
| In-State | $4,242 | $3,980 | $8,222 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $800 for books and supplies during their time at Appalachian State University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At Appalachian State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,985. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school totaled $7,357, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $7,458.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 4,242 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,985 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 18,027 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Appalachian State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 1,864 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $10,801.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 6,192 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 8,350. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $29,526,637, and state $14,148,673. The students of Appalachian State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $16,586,585, and external in the amount of $3,309,102.
$2,665
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
257 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 79 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $29,526,637 while the state aid is $45,162. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,198,028. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,779,408 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Appalachian State University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,521. Out of that number, there were 709 male and 812 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Appalachian State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Appalachian State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at Appalachian State University.
It has a campus size of 1,200 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
This school has 400 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 45% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 66 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Watauga Humane Society Club, followed by Health Professions Club and Appalachian Educators. Other popular organizations among the students at Appalachian State University are Appalachian State University Gardening Club and Student Yosef Club.
Students interested in music can join the Appalachian State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Appalachian State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Appalachian State University has a number of services important for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Appalachian State University.
All in all, campus life at Appalachian State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Appalachian State University.
Career Counselling
At Appalachian State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 47,507 USD.
$47,507
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Appalachian State University is 90%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Appalachian State University is 84%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.