North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Appalachian State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
North Carolina State University at Raleigh holds a 29-point ROI advantage over Appalachian State University, scoring 87/100 versus 58/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Appalachian State University comes in at $16,836 per year (net price after aid) versus $17,303 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh - a difference of $467 annually, or roughly $1,868 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates earn a median of $68,758 compared to $51,836 at Appalachian State University. The payback period is 6.2 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh versus 12.3 years at Appalachian State University.
Graduates leave North Carolina State University at Raleigh with a median $20,121 in debt versus $20,231 at Appalachian State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | North Carolina State Univ... | Appalachian State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,799 | $7,579 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $32,847 | $25,212 |
| Net Price (avg) | $17,303 | $16,836 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $69,212 | $67,344 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,000 | $34,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,758 | $51,836 |
| Graduation Rate | 84.8% | 74.5% |
| Payback Period | 6.2 yr | 12.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,121 | $20,231 |
| Monthly Payment | $213 | $214 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.4% | 79.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.0% | 77.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.7% | 90.1% |
| Enrollment | 27,371 | 19,444 |
| SAT Range | 1300-1470 | 1120-1280 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | North Carolina State... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,382 | $9,325 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,758 | $11,600 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,334 | $15,204 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,087 | $20,840 |
| $110,001+ | $24,652 | $22,382 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | North Carolina State... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $113,478 | $97,670 |
| Mathematics | $92,594 | $62,271 |
| Accounting | $83,689 | $85,580 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $84,349 | $64,932 |
| Physics | $51,590 | $82,399 |
| Chemistry | $76,978 | $58,329 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $73,362 | $23,073 |
| Food Science and Technology | $72,782 | $53,369 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | $66,491 | $69,956 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $65,594 | $21,143 |
| International Relations | $62,824 | $54,344 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,039 | $55,307 |
| Psychology | $62,032 | $47,720 |
| Biology | $61,384 | $53,228 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $61,382 | $53,543 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | North Carolina State... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 54 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 47 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 53 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 81 | 70 |
| Overall ROI Score | 87 | 58 |
The Verdict
North Carolina State University at Raleigh significantly outperforms Appalachian State University on financial ROI (87 vs 58). The 29-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Appalachian State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors North Carolina State University at Raleigh.
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Appalachian State University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.