Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina · Public · 90.1% acceptance rate

ROI Score: 58/100 · Below Average Value

Appalachian State University

Below Average Value

ROI Score

Earnings Premium

54(0.25x)

Payback Period

47(12.3 yr)

Debt / Earnings

53(0.59)

Completion Rate

84(75%)

Repayment Rate

70(80%)

Quick Numbers

In-state tuition + fees	$7,579/yr
Out-of-state tuition + fees	$25,212/yr
Average net price	$16,836/yr
Total 4-year cost (net)	$67,344
Median earnings (10yr post-entry)	$51,836
Median earnings (6yr post-entry)	$34,300
Median debt at graduation	$20,231
Estimated monthly loan payment	$214
Estimated payback period	12.3 years
6-year graduation rate	74.5%
Undergraduate enrollment	19,444

Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/Year	4-Year Est.
$0 - $30,000	$9,325	$37,300
$30,001 - $48,000	$11,600	$46,400
$48,001 - $75,000	$15,204	$60,816
$75,001 - $110,000	$20,840	$83,360
$110,001+	$22,382	$89,528

Earnings by Major

Top 10 most popular majors at Appalachian State University with available earnings data.

Major	Median Earnings	Debt	Debt/Earnings	Grade	Graduates
Psychology	$47,720	$21,444	0.78	D	317
Kinesiology and Exercise Science	$55,594	$21,000	0.85	D	255
Business Administration, Management, and Operations	$64,932	$21,497	0.49	C+	251
Teacher Education	$46,057	$21,500	0.52	C+	250
Marketing	$69,439	$19,500	0.45	C+	204
Biology	$53,228	$23,000	0.77	D	165
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$55,474	$18,750	0.52	C+	143
Design and Applied Arts	$53,543	$21,500	0.62	C	131
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific	$48,255	$21,614	0.53	C+	111
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$55,671	$21,500	0.59	C	111

Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.

The Full Financial Picture

The sticker price at Appalachian State University is $7,579/year ($25,212/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,836/year, or roughly $67,344 over four years.

That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,325/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,382/year.

The median graduate leaves with $20,231 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $214 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,836 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.

How Graduates Do

Earnings

6 years after entry$34,300

-$700 vs. HS grad

10 years after entry$51,836

+$16,836 vs. HS grad

Annual earnings premium$16,836

Over median HS graduate ($35,000)

Loan Repayment

Metric	This School	Nat'l Avg
1-year repayment	73.9%	52.0%
3-year repayment	79.8%	62.0%
5-year repayment	77.9%	68.0%
7-year repayment	81.4%	72.0%

Completion Rate

0%National avg: 60.0%100%

74.5%

6-year rate

Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance rate	90.1%
SAT Math (25th-75th)	550-620
SAT Reading (25th-75th)	570-660
ACT Composite (25th-75th)	21-27
Enrollment	19,444
Pell Grant recipients	26.4%
Avg faculty salary (monthly)	$9,281

Compared to Similar Schools

Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.

School	ROI	Net Price	10yr Earnings	Debt	Completion
Appalachian State University (this school)	58	$16,836	$51,836	$20,231	74.5%
East Carolina University	61	$15,739	$55,146	$22,750	62.6%
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	59	$15,014	$54,990	$23,000	49.3%
Sam Houston State University	58	$16,404	$54,211	$21,983	54.8%
Virginia Commonwealth University	55	$23,433	$58,128	$21,500	63.2%
Elizabeth City State University	23	$6,364	$40,026	$21,463	43.5%

The Verdict: Proceed With Caution

Below Average Value

The financial case for Appalachian State University is mixed. At $16,836 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $51,836 ten years after entry - a payback period of 12.3 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.

The data highlights several strengths: a 74.5% graduation rate.

Median debt of $20,231 against $51,836 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.

Rankings & Links

Best ROI in North Carolina Best ROI Public Schools Best ROI Overall Best ROI Under $20K Psychology Salary Data

Guides & Tools

Calculate your ROI for Appalachian State University →Compare Appalachian State to other schools →Is college worth it in 2026? →How to compare financial aid offers →How much student debt is too much? →State school vs private ROI →The real cost of college in 2026 →

Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)

Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25

Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.

Methodology Data Sources