Appalachian State University

www.appstate.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$4,242

2021 Average Net Price

$12,735

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

1.31%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

84.7%

21,120 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

20,641

88.8% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

72.7%

2,215 Graduates

About

Appalachian State University is a higher education institution located in Watauga County, NC. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Appalachian State University were General Psychology (307 degrees awarded), Kinesiology & Exercise Science (228 degrees), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (166 degrees).

In 2021, 5,301 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Appalachian State University. 59.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,466 degrees), 13.1 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (341 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Appalachian State University is $4,242, which is $−18,942 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Photo by Chris Bennett

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Appalachian State University is $4,242, which is $−18,942 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,735.

In 2021, 48% of undergraduate students attending Appalachian State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 42% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$4,242

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Appalachian State University was $4,242. The cost of tuition at Appalachian State University is $−18,942 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

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

Average Net Price

$12,735

2021 Value

19.2%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Appalachian State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,735. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Appalachian State University grew by 19.2%.

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

$9,395

Room and Board

$700

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Appalachian State University was of $9,395 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 2.48% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $700. 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

48%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

42%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

48% of undergraduate students at Appalachian State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2020, when 48% 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.

1.31%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Appalachian State University was 1.31%, which represents 48 out of the 3662 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 21,120 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 16.2% annual growth. Out of those 21,120 applicants, 17,886 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 84.7% acceptance rate.

There were 20,641 students enrolled at Appalachian State University in 2021. 9% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Appalachian State University has an overall enrollment yield of 22.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

84.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

17,886

Accepted Out of 21,120

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Appalachian State University was 84.7% (17,886 admissions from 21,120 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 79.5%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 16.2%, while admissions grew by 23.8%..

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

Submission Percentage (2021)

361

Scores Submitted (2021)

9% of enrolled first-time students at Appalachian State University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Appalachian State University had a total enrollment of 20,641 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 18,338 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,303. This means that 88.8% of students enrolled at Appalachian State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Appalachian State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 81.1% White, 7.76% Hispanic or Latino, 4.25% Two or More Races, 3.78% Black or African American, 1.69% Asian, 0.17% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00969% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Appalachian State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (45.7%), followed by White Male (35.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.06%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (55%), followed by White Male (31.3%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (2.61%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

88.8%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Appalachian State University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 20,641 students. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 18,338 and the part-time enrollment is 2,303. This means that 88.8% of students enrolled at Appalachian State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% 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

86%

2021 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 86%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), 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 (2021)

White
16,731 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,602 enrolled students
Two or More Races
878 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Appalachian State University is 81.1% White, 7.76% Hispanic or Latino, 4.25% Two or More Races, 3.78% Black or African American, 1.69% Asian, 0.17% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00969% 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 52% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% 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, 151 students (0.732%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 983 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 (4,466 degrees awarded). There were 13.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (341 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Appalachian State University is General Psychology (307 degrees awarded), followed by Kinesiology & Exercise Science (228 degrees) and General Marketing & Marketing Management (166 degrees).

In 2021, 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 Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (308 degrees awarded), Library Science (27 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (123 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 (1,666,099 people), Secondary school teachers (429,072 people), Education administrators (275,760 people), Other managers (216,885 people), and Special education teachers (175,658 people).

The most specialized majors at Appalachian State University in 2021 are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (308 degrees awarded), Library Science (27 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (123 degrees), Communications (335 degrees), and EDUCATION. (808 degrees) (as of 2021).

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, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Physicians, Nurse anesthetists, and Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

The most specialized majors at Appalachian State University are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (308 degrees awarded), Library Science (27 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (123 degrees), Communications (335 degrees), and EDUCATION. (808 degrees) (as of 2021).

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 (2,811,610 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (342,961 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (204,090 people), Computer Systems Design (139,018 people), and Construction (112,352 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 (2021)

General Psychology
307 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
228 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
166 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Appalachian State University was General Psychology with 307 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

2,159

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

3,142

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 2,159 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University, which is 0.687 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,142).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 125 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.6 times more than the 78 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 240 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University in General Psychology, which is 3.33 times more than the 72 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

53%

100% Completion Time

73%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 53% 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 (77.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Appalachian State University is Female and White (77.3% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

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, 1.72% of graduates (38 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
4,466 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
341 degrees awarded
Black or African American
168 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Appalachian State University is white (4,466 degrees awarded). There were 13.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (341 degrees).

0.698% of degree recipients (37 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
2,633 degrees awarded
White Male
1,833 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
200 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Appalachian State University is white female (2,633 degrees awarded). There were 1.44 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1833 degrees).

Operations

Appalachian State University has an endowment valued at nearly $180M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 56.6M (31.6%) compared to the 13.1% average return (6.61M on 50.4M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2021, Appalachian State University had a total salary expenditure of 444M. Appalachian State University employs 321 Professors, 245 Assistant professors and 222 Lecturers. Most academics at Appalachian State University are Male Professor (184), Female Professor (137), and Female Assistant professor (132).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Appalachian State University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 387 employees, Service, with 307 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 202 employees.

Endowment

$180M

2021 Endowment

44.1%

growth from 2020

Appalachian State University has an endowment valued at about $180M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Appalachian State University grew 44.1% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $129M 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

$6.34M - Federal
$2.32M - State
$820k - Local

As of 2021, Appalachian State University received $6.34M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $2.32M from state grants and contracts, and $820k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$209M

2021 Salaries

1.48%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Appalachian State University paid a median of $209M in salaries, which represents 47.1% of their overall expenditure ($444M) and a 1.48% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$75.4M

Instructional Salaries

1,033

Number of Employees

In 2021, Appalachian State University paid a total of $75.4M to 1,033 employees working as instructors, which represents 36% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.3%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

321 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

387 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Appalachian State University were Professor with 321 employees, Assistant professor with 245 employees, and Lecturer with 222 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Appalachian State University were Office and Administrative Support with 387 employees, Service with 307 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 202 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Assistant professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Appalachian State University was Male Professor with 184 employees, Female Professor with 137 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 132 employees.

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