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Appalachian State University
Admission at Appalachian State University is close to open (90.1%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $51,836 median earnings below before the application.
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Appalachian State University anchors the college town of Boone, NC, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $97,670 four years out. 26.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 19,444 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 83.7% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1100 and 1280 — near the NC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Appalachian State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Appalachian State University received 24,001 applications and admitted 21,275 (88.6%), with 4,227 enrolling.
You can apply to Appalachian State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1100 and 1280; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 560 | 600 | 650 |
| SAT Math | 540 | 580 | 630 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Appalachian State University compares
| Appalachian State University | North Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 90.1% | 75.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $7,579 | $19,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $51,836 | $45,873 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Appalachian State University: $51,836 median at year ten, versus $45,873 across North Carolina institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $7,579 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $25,212. For non-residents, Appalachian State University's $25,212 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
Appalachian State University is a big school: 19,444 undergraduates at last count.
74.5% of Appalachian State University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 19.7 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $7,579 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Appalachian State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $97,670 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $87,041 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $85,580 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $83,033 |
| Physics | $82,399 |
| Insurance | $82,306 |
| Construction Management | $80,257 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,943 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $76,914 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $75,396 |
| International Business | $72,852 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | $69,956 |
| Marketing | $69,439 |
| Economics | $67,285 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $66,227 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,932 |
| Mathematics | $62,271 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $58,516 |
| Chemistry | $58,329 |
| Geography and Cartography | $58,289 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $55,778 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $55,671 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $55,594 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,474 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,307 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $55,235 |
| Political Science and Government | $54,344 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $53,543 |
| Food Science and Technology | $53,369 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,269 |
| Biology, General | $53,228 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $53,125 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,440 |
| Social Work | $51,012 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $50,403 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $50,264 |
| Public Health | $49,039 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $48,546 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,255 |
| Journalism | $48,243 |
| Psychology, General | $47,720 |
| Sociology | $47,180 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,207 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,057 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,954 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $44,986 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $44,297 |
| Anthropology | $42,107 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $41,052 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,002 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $40,461 |
| History | $40,371 |
Median earnings for these 52 Appalachian State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $51,836 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 20 additional Appalachian State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Appalachian State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1100–1280 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 90.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Appalachian State University's acceptance rate?
88.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 21,275 admitted from 24,001 applicants.
How much does Appalachian State University cost?
In-state tuition is $7,579; out-of-state students pay $25,212. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Appalachian State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $51,836 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Carolina
- Barton College — 94.2% admitted
- Campbell University — 87.2% admitted
- East Carolina University — 89.2% admitted
- University of North Carolina Asheville — 91.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.