Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Appalachian State University at a Glance
Appalachian State University, or App State, is a public research university in Boone, North Carolina, United States. It was founded as a teachers' college in 1899 by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty and the latter's wife, Lillie Shull Dougherty. The university expanded to include other programs in 1967 and joined the University of North Carolina System in 1971. It is classified as "R2: High Research Spending and Doctorate Production" for research activity.
1899
127 years old
$192M
$192 million (2025)
6,200
150 undergrad
1,200 acres
18 residence halls
Identity
How to Apply to Appalachian State University
Official admissions page$65
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Appalachian State University Worth It?
Appalachian State University offers moderate value at $16,836/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,836, which is 4% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Appalachian State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #36 of 92 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #36 | Appalachian State University | 57 | $16,836 | $51,836 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Appalachian State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in NC.
Best Programs at Appalachian State University
The highest-earning program at Appalachian State University is Computer Science at $58,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $15,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Appalachian State University earns $58,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $15,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,836/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $58,800 | $58,800 | $22,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,600 | $55,600 | $10,994 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $52,300 | $52,300 | $23,000 |
| Construction Management | $50,900 | $50,900 | $20,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,300 | $49,300 | $21,828 |
| Insurance | $49,300 | $49,300 | $19,930 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $40,900 | $40,900 | $19,750 |
| Economics | $40,000 | $40,000 | $18,522 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,400 | $38,400 | $19,188 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,800 | $36,800 | $21,911 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | $36,600 | $36,600 | $18,548 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $36,500 | $36,500 | $22,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,300 | $36,300 | $20,500 |
| Marketing | $35,700 | $35,700 | $20,500 |
| Chemistry | $35,300 | $35,300 | $21,727 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,200 | $35,200 | $21,136 |
| International Business | $34,600 | $34,600 | $24,375 |
| Geography and Cartography | $34,500 | $34,500 | $21,500 |
| Social Work | $33,200 | $33,200 | $19,712 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,100 | $33,100 | $21,200 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,800 | $31,800 | $18,816 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,000 | $31,000 | $21,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $29,000 | $29,000 | $22,572 |
| Biology, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $21,277 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,900 | $26,900 | $19,500 |
| Journalism | $26,800 | $26,800 | $22,977 |
| Mathematics | $26,700 | $26,700 | $15,557 |
| Sociology | $25,900 | $25,900 | $20,500 |
| Public Health | $25,900 | $25,900 | $18,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,400 | $25,400 | $19,842 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $25,000 | $25,000 | $19,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,000 | $24,000 | $21,347 |
| Political Science and Government | $23,900 | $23,900 | $20,500 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $23,400 | $23,400 | $21,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $22,900 | $22,900 | $20,269 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $22,100 | $22,100 | $21,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $21,700 | $21,700 | $21,935 |
| History | $21,600 | $21,600 | $20,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $21,500 | $21,500 | $15,750 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $21,300 | $21,300 | $20,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $20,300 | $20,300 | $18,966 |
| Psychology, General | $20,200 | $20,200 | $20,851 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $15,800 | $15,800 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $15,600 | $15,600 | $21,076 |
| Anthropology | $15,200 | $15,200 | $19,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $15,000 | $15,000 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Boone, NC
- Student Body
- 19,444 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,836
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,836
- Median Student Debt
- $20,231