More selective than 11% of North Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
10% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 24% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Appalachian State University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Appalachian State University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Appalachian State University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Essay
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Recommendations
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Appalachian State University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.80. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
446 offered a spot, 222 took it, 129 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Appalachian State University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Appalachian State University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 570 | 660 |
| SAT math | 550 | 620 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 27 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1120 | 1280 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Appalachian State University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 90% | 570–660 | 550–620 | 21–27 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 89% | 560–650 | 540–630 | 21–27 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Appalachian State University compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Appalachian State University has the 50th-lowest acceptance rate of 56 North Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | North Carolina Central University | 87% | 42% | $15,359 |
| 47 | Campbell University | 87% | 61% | $24,516 |
| 48 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 89% | 56% | $10,965 |
| 49 | East Carolina University | 89% | 63% | $15,739 |
| 50 | Appalachian State University | 90% | 75% | $16,836 |
| 51 | Wingate University | 91% | 46% | $20,748 |
| 52 | University of North Carolina Asheville | 92% | 54% | $12,250 |
| 53 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | 93% | 44% | $10,260 |
| 54 | Barton College | 94% | 46% | $23,626 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All North Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at Appalachian State University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Appalachian State University admissions questions
What is the Appalachian State University acceptance rate?
Appalachian State University accepts 90% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 21,275 of 24,001 applicants were admitted.
Does Appalachian State University require the SAT or ACT?
Appalachian State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 10% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 24% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Appalachian State University?
The middle 50% of Appalachian State University enrolled first-year students scored 1120–1280 on the SAT and 21–27 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Appalachian State University?
20% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (4,227 of 21,275).
What does Appalachian State University look for in applicants?
Appalachian State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA. Important: sAT/ACT scores, interview, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. Considered: essay, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Appalachian State University have early decision?
No. Appalachian State University does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the Appalachian State University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 446 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 222 accepted one and 129 were admitted (58% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Appalachian State University getting harder to get into?
Appalachian State University accepted 90% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 89% for Fall 2023.
Is Appalachian State University the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing Appalachian State University with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Appalachian State University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Appalachian State University overview