Appalachian State University

www.appstate.edu/

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2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$4,242

0% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$10,687

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

3.61%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

79.5%

18,178 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

20,023

88.8% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

72.7%

2,201 Graduates

About

Appalachian State University is a higher education institution located in Watauga County, NC. In 2016, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Appalachian State University were General Psychology (250 degrees awarded), Kinesiology & Exercise Science (235 degrees), and General Biological Sciences (187 degrees).

In 2020, 5,317 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Appalachian State University. 59.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,481 degrees), 15.3 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (292 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Appalachian State University is $4,242, which is $−18,288 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

Photo by Chris Bennett

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Appalachian State University is $4,242, which is $−18,288 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $10,687.

In 2020, 48% of undergraduate students attending Appalachian State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 45% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Student Expenses

Tuition Costs

$4,242

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Appalachian State University was $4,242. The cost of tuition at Appalachian State University is $−18,288 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

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

Average Net Price

$10,687

2020 Value

1.54%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Appalachian State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $10,687. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Appalachian State University grew by 1.54%.

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

$9,167

Room and Board

$700

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Appalachian State University was of $9,167 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $700. The cost of room and board increased by 3.7% between 2019 and 2020. 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

Financial Aid by Income Level

48%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

45%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

48% of undergraduate students at Appalachian State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a growth of 2.13% with respect to 2019, when 47% 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.

3.61%

2018 Default Rate

129

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Appalachian State University was 3.61%, which represents 129 out of the 3571 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 18,178 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 9.09% annual growth. Out of those 18,178 applicants, 14,453 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 79.5% acceptance rate.

There were 20,023 students enrolled at Appalachian State University in 2020, and 39% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Appalachian State University has an overall enrollment yield of 27%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

79.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

14,453

Accepted Out of 18,178

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Appalachian State University was 79.5% (14,453 admissions from 18,178 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 76.8%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants grew by 9.09%, while admissions grew by 12.9%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Appalachian State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

39%

Submission Percentage

1,532

Scores Submitted

39% of enrolled first-time students at Appalachian State University in 2020 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 has a total enrollment of 20,023 students. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 17,772 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,251. 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 81.6% White, 7.54% Hispanic or Latino, 4.04% Two or More Races, 3.91% Black or African American, 1.53% Asian, 0.185% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00499% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Appalachian State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (46.4%), followed by White Male (34.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.81%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (54.9%), followed by White Male (29.9%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.5%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

88.8%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Appalachian State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 20,023 students. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 17,772 and the part-time enrollment is 2,251. This means that 88.8% of students enrolled at Appalachian State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.8% 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%

2020 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 (75%), 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

White
16,331
Hispanic or Latino
1,509
Two or More Races
809

The enrolled student population at Appalachian State University is 81.6% White, 7.54% Hispanic or Latino, 4.04% Two or More Races, 3.91% Black or African American, 1.53% Asian, 0.185% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00499% 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 52.6% White, 16.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 13% 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, 156 students (0.779%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 1051 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 (4,481 degrees awarded). There were 15.3 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (292 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Appalachian State University is General Psychology (250 degrees awarded), followed by Kinesiology & Exercise Science (235 degrees) and General Biological Sciences (187 degrees).

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 (394 degrees awarded), Library Science (24 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (104 degrees).

Workforce

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 (1,741,516 people), Secondary school teachers (388,509 people), Education administrators (271,674 people), Other managers (206,587 people), and Special education teachers (159,257 people).

The most specialized majors at Appalachian State University are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (394 degrees awarded), Library Science (24 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (104 degrees), Communications (342 degrees), and Education (730 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

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 Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Nurse anesthetists, and Podiatrists

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 (2,804,815 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (331,782 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (196,454 people), Computer Systems Design (124,517 people), and Insurance carriers (109,287 people).

Degrees

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

General Psychology
250 degree-majorss awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
235 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
187 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Appalachian State University was General Psychology with 250 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

2,133

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

3,184

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 2,133 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University, which is 0.67 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,184).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 128 degrees were awarded to men at Appalachian State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.56 times more than the 82 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 209 degrees were awarded to women at Appalachian State University in General Psychology, which is 4.02 times more than the 52 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

52%

100% Completion Time

72%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 52% of students graduating from Appalachian State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 72% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 73% 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.

Diversity

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 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 (72.4%).

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, 1.27% of graduates (28 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,481 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
292 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
174 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Appalachian State University is white (4,481 degrees awarded). There were 15.3 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (292 degrees).

1.03% of degree recipients (55 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Female
2,697 degrees awarded
White Male
1,784 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
175 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Appalachian State University is white female (2,697 degrees awarded). There were 1.51 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,784 degrees).

Operations

Appalachian State University has an endowment valued at nearly $125M, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $5.39M (4.33%), compared to the 3.19% average return ($1.26M on $39.6M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2020, Appalachian State University had a total salary expenditure of $437M. Appalachian State University employs 331 Professors, 227 Associate professors, and 225 Assistant professors. Most academics at Appalachian State University are Male Professors (189), Female Professors(142), and Female Lecturers (131).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Appalachian State University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 401 employees, Service, with 339 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 202 employees.

Finances

Endowment

$125M

2020 Endowment

6.45%

decline from 2019

Appalachian State University has an endowment valued at about $125M, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Appalachian State University declined 6.45% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $84.9M 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

$5.81M - Federal
$2.03M - State
$760k - Local

As of 2020, Appalachian State University received $5.81M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $2.03M from state grants and contracts, and $760k from local grants and contracts.

Expenses

Salary Expenditure

$212M

2020 Salaries

7.8%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Appalachian State University paid a median of $212M in salaries, which represents 48.6% of their overall expenditure ($437M) and a 7.8% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 4.28% growth from 2018 and a 3.85% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 34.6M (40.9% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$77.9M

Instructional Salaries

1,037

Number of Employees

In 2020, Appalachian State University paid a total of $77.9M to 1,037 employees working as instructors, which represents 36.7% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.8%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Faculty and Staff

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

331 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

401 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Appalachian State University were Professor with 331 employees; Associate professor with 227 employees; and Associate professor with 225 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Appalachian State University were Office and Administrative Support with 401 employees; Service with 339 employees; and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 202 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Lecturer

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Appalachian State University was Male Professor with 189 employees, Female Professor with 142 employees, and Female Lecturer with 131 employees.

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

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