App State marks 125th year with strong student enrollment (2024)

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University marks its 125th year by enrolling 21,570 Mountaineer students in fall 2024, a 1.5% increase over last fall.

“At Appalachian State University, we are maintaining strong enrollment and positive return on investment for every North Carolina student. We remain focused on our commitment to student success — to retaining and graduating students who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to our state, nation and world — which has been a hallmark of our university since its inception.”

App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris

"Our steady growth is supported by intentionally managed enrollment at the Boone campus and significant growth in both the Hickory campus and App State Online student populations," App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris announced.

Norris added, “At Appalachian State University, we are maintaining strong enrollment and positive return on investment for every North Carolina student. We remain focused on our commitment to student success — to retaining and graduating students who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to our state, nation and world — which has been a hallmark of our university since its inception.”

The university’s consistent growth helps support the myFutureNC goal of ensuring that 2 million North Carolinians will have a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030 that meets the demands of the state’s businesses and industries.

“We are working to ensure we’re responsive to changing enrollment demographics, the changing needs of students and the market demand,” said Norris.

Maintaining undergraduate enrollment and high retention, graduation rates

This fall, App State enrolls 19,560 undergraduate students at the Boone and Hickory campuses and online — its largest undergraduate student population to date. This population includes 4,038 new first-year students, as well as 6,221 first-generation students who constitute 32% of the total undergraduate student population at App State. A student is considered “first-generation” if neither parent has completed a bachelor’s degree.

App State’s student retention and graduation rates — two measurements commonly used in higher education to measure student success — remain strong and are some of the highest in the nation. The university’s overall 2024 first- to second-year retention rate — a primary performance indicator for institutions across the country — is 83.7%, well above the latest national average of 76.5%.

At 58%, which is 2.5% higher than last year, the university's four-year graduation rate continues to be nearly 70% above the national average.

“Four-year graduation rates continue to be a primary focus and a key indicator of student success in the future,” Norris said.

Nearly 113,000, or 75%, of App State’s living alumni are located within North Carolina, where they make lasting and impactful contributions to their respective communities. In fiscal year 2021–22, the increased earnings and productivity of App State alumni generated $140.7 million in added income for the regional economy (Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell and Wilkes counties), according to an economic impact study by labor analytics firm Lightcast. Statewide, the tens of thousands of App State grads employed across North Carolina generated $1.9 billion in added income.

Hickory campus enrollment grows by 41%

Mountaineer student enrollment at the App State Hickory campus grew by 41% from fall 2023 to fall 2024. For its second year of operation, the campus serves 511 students who are enrolled in Hickory campus courses. Of the Hickory student population, 294 are first-generation students and 346 are from North Carolina counties classified as rural by the state Department of Commerce.

App State Acting Provost Neva Specht has noted that the university is continually working to refine its degree program offerings in Hickory to better serve students, the Hickory community and all those who work at the campus.

“We want to make sure we have the majors that students want, and our goal is to ensure students can pick the best path of success for themselves,” she said. “Our offerings will be aligned with both the university’s Academic Affairs strategic plan and the needs in the Hickory market.”

For five consecutive years, the enrollment of students attending classes at App State’s Boone campus has fluctuated by less than 3% from year to year:

  • Fall 2020: 18,510
  • Fall 2021: 19,031
  • Fall 2022: 18,684
  • Fall 2023: 18,951
  • Fall 2024: 18,601

“By employing the levers of online and Hickory enrollment, we were able to ensure enrollment reached an overall high while Boone enrollment decreased by 1.8%,” said Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management Troy Johnson.

5th consecutive year of App State Online enrollment growth

The university enrolls 2,517 students in App State Online programs — a 23.5% increase in online student enrollment since fall 2023. This academic year marks the fifth consecutive year that App State has experienced growth in online students, with these students representing 11.7% of the total student body at App State.

This spring, App State and Project Kitty Hawk (PKH), an ed tech nonprofit funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, signed an agreement that is helping remove barriers to educational access and increase career readiness and advancement, particularly for adult learners in North Carolina.

The university launched two PKH-supported undergraduate programs this fall, in health care management and in supply chain management. Three additional App State Online programs — bachelor’s degrees in accounting, criminal justice, and organizational leadership and learning — are in development and will come online in spring 2025.

Supporting students from rural NC counties

For this fall, 5,714 students from rural North Carolina counties are enrolled at App State, a 1% increase over last fall. These students represent 32.5% of the total population of in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students at App State.

“As a rural-serving institution, App State is committed to increasing enrollment of students from the state’s rural populations and supporting their success,” said Johnson.

Developing partnerships for seamless transfer pathways

At App State, 5,160 transfer students are enrolled for fall 2024 — the largest transfer student population in university history.

In support of transfer students, App State has secured new and renewed agreements with 27 North Carolina community colleges through its Aspire Appalachian program, which provides a streamlined path for students enrolled at partner schools to complete their bachelor’s degrees at App State.

Johnson said the university’s Aspire collaborations are focused on easing the transition between schools, boosting degree completion rates and minimizing student loan debt. Additionally, he explained, “Aspire partnerships provide valuable insights into the workforce needs of North Carolina communities, creating opportunities for the university and the state’s community colleges to work together to graduate students who are prepared to fulfill in-demand roles.”

App State’s strong support of its transfer student population has earned the university the reputation of being one of the most transfer-friendly schools in the nation. For eight consecutive years, App State has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes four-year colleges and universities across the country for developing dynamic and innovative pathways that lead to success among community college transfer students. The degree completion rate for North Carolina community college students who transferred to App State is more than 22% above the national average.

Transfer students are supported through all stages of their App State education by the dedicated staff in Transfer Admissions and Engagement.

All numbers reported reflect App State’s fall 2024 census data as of Aug. 30. The University of North Carolina System Office determines the census date to be the 10th day of each fall and spring semester, by which all students should be registered for all of their courses for the semester.

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Fall 2024 enrollment data

  • 21,570 total enrolled App State students
  • 19,560 undergraduate students
  • 2,010 graduate students
  • 4,038 new first-year students
  • 5,160 transfer students
  • 18,510 enrolled at the Boone campus
  • 511 enrolled at the Hickory campus
  • 2,517 App State Online students
  • 5,714 in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students from rural NC counties (32.5% of the total in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate population)
  • 6,221 first-generation undergraduate students (32% of the total undergraduate population)
  • 372 military-affiliated students (includes student veterans and active-duty military members)

App State — a rural-serving institution

The North Carolina Rural Center defines rural NC counties as those with an average population density of 250 people per square mile or less.

App State’s Reich College of Education is home to the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges — an organization dedicated to advancing research and providing insight into the role of regional and rural-serving colleges and universities.

A rural student is an in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate student from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, as designated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The determining factors for assigning a tier designation to each county are average unemployment rate, median household income, percentage growth in population and adjusted property tax base per capita.

Hickory First Scholarship

App State is accepting applications for spring 2025 admission to the Hickory campus. Students who enroll at the Hickory campus for the 2024–25 academic year will receive App State’s Hickory First Scholarship — a one-time $2,000 award that students can use to offset the costs of tuition and fees.

Learn more

App State partners with Project Kitty Hawk to offer 5 streamlined App State Online programs in 2024–25

July 26, 2024

App State has partnered with Project Kitty Hawk, an ed tech nonprofit, to expand higher education access to millions of adult learners across NC. The university will launch five App State Online degree programs supported by the project in the 2024–25 academic year — all designed for working adults.

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History of App State

App State began as Watauga Academy, founded in 1899 by Dr. B.B. Dougherty, his brother D.D. Dougherty, and D.D.’s wife, Lillie Shull Dougherty. Classes for the academy’s 53 enrolled students began Sept. 5, 1899. This tiny academy quickly evolved into a school preparing quality teachers to serve our state and beyond. Building on this strong foundation, App State grew into a destination of choice for high-achieving, intellectually curious students wanting to be engaged in the community.

Learn more

App State places among national publications’ ‘best’ and ‘top’ lists for academics, value, innovation and more

U.S. News ranks App State as No. 1 Most Innovative School and No. 2 Top Public School in the South

Sep. 22, 2023

Several national publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine, have named App State among the best schools in the nation — and the Southeast — for 2023–24, recognizing the university for its academics, innovation, value and more.

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Less college debt + more lifetime earnings = the App State advantage

April 30, 2024

An App State education paves the way for higher wages and greater opportunities. Mountaineers graduate with lower student loan debt than their statewide and national peers and make median lifetime earnings of half a million more than North Carolinians without degrees.

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About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

App State marks 125th year with strong student enrollment (2024)

FAQs

App State marks 125th year with strong student enrollment? ›

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University marks its 125th year by enrolling 21,570 Mountaineer students in fall 2024, a 1.5% increase over last fall. “At Appalachian State University, we are maintaining strong enrollment and positive return on investment for every North Carolina student.

What percentage of App State students are full-time? ›

Appalachian State University had a total enrollment of 20,436 students in 2022. The full-time enrollment at Appalachian State University is 18,223 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,213. This means that 89.2% of students enrolled at Appalachian State University are enrolled full-time.

Is App State a prestigious school? ›

Appalachian State University is ranked #3 out of 136 Regional Universities South. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

What is the average GPA of App State students? ›

Average GPA: 3.97

This makes Appalachian State University Extremely Competitive for GPAs. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.97, Appalachian State University requires you to be at the top of your class.

What is Appalachian State known for academically? ›

The most popular majors at Appalachian State University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Education; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Psychology; Social Sciences; Visual ...

Is App State a big party school? ›

Appalachian State University

#4 Top Party Schools in North Carolina.

What is the male to female ratio at Appalachian State University? ›

Appalachian State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,558 (fall 2022), with a gender distribution of 44% male students and 56% female students.

Why is App State so popular? ›

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all.

Is App State a hard school to get into? ›

Appalachian State University has an acceptance rate of 83%. Half the applicants admitted to Appalachian State who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1100 and 1270 or an ACT score of 21 and 27.

Is Greek life big at App State? ›

Appalachian State University has been the host of fraternities and sororities for more than 40 years. Today, Appalachian has about 2,000 students holding membership in 35 organizations.

What is the best thing about App State? ›

App State is known for its special combination of people and place, set in one of the country's most beautiful locations — the perfect setting to strengthen your academic focus, discover your passions, enhance your leadership skills and take the next step in your life's journey.

What rank is App State education? ›

Appalachian State University (Reich) 2024 Education Program & Specialties Rankings. Appalachian State University (Reich) is ranked No. 140 (tie) out of 255 in Best Education Schools. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Can I get into App State with a 3.7 GPA? ›

Below are the GPA/test score ranges of the middle 50 percent of first-year admits. 25 percent of admitted students fall either below or above these levels: Weighted GPA: 3.82-4.34. SAT (new – evidence-based reading and writing and math): 1100-1270.

Is a degree from App State respected? ›

Several national publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine, have named App State among the best schools in the nation — and the Southeast — for 2023–24, recognizing the university for its academics, innovation, value and more.

What famous person went to Appalachian State University? ›

Notable alumni

Michael Gregory – of The Gregory Brothers and creator of Auto-tune the News series. Rainbow Kitten Surprise – Members attended and agreed on a deal with Split Rail Records, a label at Appalachian State's Hayes School of Music.

Is App State worth it? ›

Earning a degree at App State, one of 16 universities in the UNC System, is not just an affordable investment but one that has high value in the job market. On-campus jobs “are accommodating for students' schedules and are a great way to network within the university community.”

How many hours is full-time at App State? ›

While 12 hours is considered full-time, students should be aware that in order to reach 122 hours in 8 semes- ters (4 years of regular fall/spring attendance), they should average 15.25 hours per semester!

What percentage of college students work full-time? ›

The percentage of full-time undergraduate students who were employed was lower in 2020 (40 percent) than in 2015 (43 percent). Similarly, the percentage of part-time undergraduates who were employed was lower in 2020 (74 percent) than in 2015 (78 percent).

How do you qualify for full-time student at App State? ›

What constitutes full-time enrollment? An undergraduate student must take 12 semester hours during a regular semester in order to be classified as full-time. A graduate student must take 9 semester hours during a regular semester in order to be classified as full-time.

Is App State a small school? ›

The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online.

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