Appalachian State University

www.appstate.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$4,242

2023 Average Net Price

$14,712

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

0.0274%

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

88.6%

24,001 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

21,253

89.2% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

73.1%

2,414 Graduates

About

Appalachian State University is a higher education institution located in Watauga County, NC. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Appalachian State University were General Psychology (317 degrees awarded), Kinesiology & Exercise Science (255 degrees), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (204 degrees).

In 2023, 5,253 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Appalachian State University. 61.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 38.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,366 degrees), 11.8 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (370 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Appalachian State University is $4,242, which is $−20,333 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Appalachian State University was 0.0274%, corresponding to 1 out of the 3,652 total borrowers.

Photo by Chris Bennett

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Appalachian State University is $4,242, which is $20,333 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,712.

In 2023, 44% of undergraduate students attending Appalachian State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 38% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$4,242

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Appalachian State University was $4,242. The cost of tuition at Appalachian State University is $−20,333 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Appalachian State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$14,712

2023 Value

12.4%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Appalachian State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,712. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Appalachian State University grew by 12.4%.

This chart compares the average net price of Appalachian State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,846

Room and Board

$800

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Appalachian State University was of $11,846 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 18.1% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $800. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Appalachian State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

44%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

38%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

44% of undergraduate students at Appalachian State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 2.22% with respect to 2022, when 45% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Appalachian State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.0274%

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Appalachian State University was 0.0274%, which represents 1 out of the 3652 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Appalachian State University received 24,001 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 7.85% annual growth. Out of those 24,001 applicants, 21,275 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 88.6% acceptance rate.

There were 21,253 students enrolled at Appalachian State University in 2023. 10% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Appalachian State University has an overall enrollment yield of 19.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

88.6%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

21,275

Accepted Out of 24,001

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Appalachian State University was 88.6% (21,275 admissions from 24,001 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 83.1%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 7.85%, while admissions grew by 15.1%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Appalachian State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

10%

Submission Percentage (2023)

420

Scores Submitted (2023)

10% of enrolled first-time students at Appalachian State University in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Appalachian State University had a total enrollment of 21,253 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 18,960 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,293. This means that 89.2% of students enrolled at Appalachian State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Appalachian State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 80.5% White, 8.47% Hispanic or Latino, 4.38% Two or More Races, 3.48% Black or African American, 1.76% Asian, 0.202% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0235% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Appalachian State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (45.1%), followed by White Male (35.7%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.04%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (53.7%), followed by White Male (27.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (3.95%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

89.2%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Appalachian State University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 21,253 students. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 18,960 and the part-time enrollment is 2,293. This means that 89.2% of students enrolled at Appalachian State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.2% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Appalachian State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

85%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Appalachian State University was 85%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Appalachian State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Appalachian State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
17,109 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,800 enrolled students
Two or More Races
930 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Appalachian State University is 80.5% White, 8.47% Hispanic or Latino, 4.38% Two or More Races, 3.48% Black or African American, 1.76% Asian, 0.202% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0235% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 50.1% White, 17.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 137 students (0.645%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 1,169 more women than men received degrees from Appalachian State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Appalachian State University is white (4,366 degrees awarded). There were 11.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (370 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Appalachian State University is General Psychology (317 degrees awarded), followed by Kinesiology & Exercise Science (255 degrees) and General Marketing & Marketing Management (204 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Appalachian State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Library Science (39 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (359 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (104 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Appalachian State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,521,161 people), Secondary school teachers (527,936 people), Education administrators (272,788 people), Special education teachers (204,450 people), and Preschool & kindergarten teachers (183,357 people).

The most specialized majors at Appalachian State University in 2023 are Library Science (39 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (359 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (104 degrees), Education (877 degrees), and History (76 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Appalachian State University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, Aircraft pilots & flight engineers, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Appalachian State University are Library Science (39 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (359 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (104 degrees), Education (877 degrees), and History (76 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Appalachian State University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,782,545 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (372,765 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (257,360 people), Individual & family services (143,324 people), and Outpatient care centers (128,083 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Appalachian State University.

Most Common (2023)

General Psychology
317 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
255 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
204 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Appalachian State University was General Psychology with 317 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Appalachian State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,042

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

3,211

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 2,042 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University, which is 0.636 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,211).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Appalachian State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 169 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.97 times more than the 86 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 252 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University in General Psychology, which is 3.11 times more than the 81 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

57%

100% Completion Time

73%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 57% of students graduating from Appalachian State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 73% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 74% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (75%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Appalachian State University is Female and White (75% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.497% of graduates (12 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
4,366 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
370 degrees awarded
Black or African American
202 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Appalachian State University is white (4,366 degrees awarded). There were 11.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (370 degrees).

0.704% of degree recipients (37 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
2,665 degrees awarded
White Male
1,701 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
222 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Appalachian State University is white female (2,665 degrees awarded). There were 1.57 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,701 degrees).

Operations

Appalachian State University has an endowment valued at nearly $192M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 5M (2.6%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2023, Appalachian State University had a total salary expenditure of 510M. Appalachian State University employs 318 Professors, 284 Lecturers and 231 Assistant professors. Most academics at Appalachian State University are Male Professor (176), Female Lecturer (169), and Female Professor (142).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Appalachian State University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 424 employees, Service, with 353 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 244 employees.

Endowment

$192M

2023 Endowment

0.767%

growth from 2022

Appalachian State University has an endowment valued at about $192M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Appalachian State University grew 0.767% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $142M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Appalachian State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$9.09M - Federal
$3.03M - State
$915k - Local

As of 2023, Appalachian State University received $9.09M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $3.03M from state grants and contracts, and $915k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$230M

2023 Salaries

10.3%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Appalachian State University paid a median of $230M in salaries, which represents 45.1% of their overall expenditure ($510M) and a 10.3% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.373% decline between 2021 and 2022, and a 1.48% decline between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$89.1M

Instructional Salaries

1,092

Number of Employees

In 2023, Appalachian State University paid a total of $89.1M to 1,092 employees working as instructors, which represents 38.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.12M (2.97%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

318 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

424 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Appalachian State University were Professor with 318 employees, Lecturer with 284 employees, and Assistant professor with 231 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Appalachian State University were Office and Administrative Support with 424 employees, Service with 353 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 244 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Female Lecturer
Female Professor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Appalachian State University was Male Professor with 176 employees, Female Lecturer with 169 employees, and Female Professor with 142 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Appalachian State University.

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