See the World From a Mountaineer Perspective
20,000+ undergraduate and graduate students
19% total students from racially and/or ethnically underrepresented populations
31% first in their families to attend college
Your Mountain of Opportunity
Nearly 125 years ago, Appalachian State University was founded to increase access to education for those in North Carolina’s “lost provinces.” Today, we are the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast – a thriving university that remains true to our mission as a rural-serving institution. We are known for small class sizes that allow for high-quality student and faculty interaction, excellent undergraduate research opportunities and service to our local and regional communities.
Choose Your Path
Accelerated Master’s Program saves time and money — earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as 5 years
150+ undergraduate majors
80+ graduate programs
Discover Your Academic Passions
App State’s quality academic programs cultivate critical thinkers through small classes, individual attention and mentoring.
First Steps
Every Mountaineer’s journey begins with general education, a core element for success as you prepare to live and work in today’s ever-changing world. With courses in history, natural and social sciences and humanities, App State’s general education program will reshape your outlook on learning and provide a foundational skill set that will prepare you for any career.
Academic Destinations
Your academic journey will allow you to explore more than 150 bachelor’s and 80 graduate degrees – in Boone and Hickory, or online.
Beaver College of Health Sciences
The Beaver College of Health Sciences is dedicated to enhancing health and quality of life in our state and beyond. Prepare for a career in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health and Exercise Science, Nursing, Nutrition and Health Care Management, Recreation Management and Physical Education or Social Work.
College of Arts and Sciences
Learn what it takes to thrive and prepare for a career of the future with courses of study in the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences.
College of Fine and Applied Arts
This dynamic and innovative college includes opportunities to develop and apply skills in Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment and Theatre and Dance.
Hayes School of Music
Transform a passion for music into a profession for a lifetime. The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation.
Reich College of Education
Odds are, one of your favorite teachers is a graduate of the Reich College of Education – App State educators work in almost every county in NC. Find your place in the education field – as a teacher, a specialist or an administrator.
Walker College of Business
In the College of Business, you’ll find opportunities for international experiences, explore sustainable business practices, sample entrepreneurial programs and participate in real-world applications with industry. The college has the highest enrollment of full-time, undergraduate business students in the UNC System.
The Honors College
Helping extraordinary students develop independent and creative thinking and high-level research skills, the Honors College serves a diverse group of high-achieving, highpotential and highly motivated students from all majors.
Williams School of Graduate Studies
Reach your next level of career advancement and preparedness in the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies. Choose from over 80 graduate degrees and certificate programs, including 24 programs that offer accelerated pathways. App State’s Accelerated Master’s Program allows you to save time and money by earning your master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree.
#1 in the Nation
national board certified teachers 7th consecutive vear
16:1 student-to-faculty ratio
25 average class size
Majors
Accounting†
Actuarial Science†
Advertising†
Anthropology†
Apparel Design and Merchandising†
Art and Visual Culture
Art Education (K-12)*
Biology*
Building Sciences
Career and Technical Education*†
Chemistry*
Child Development*†
Communication Sciences and Disorders†
Communication Studies†
Community and Regional Planning†
Computer Information Systems†
Computer Science
Criminal Justice†
Dance Studies
Digital Journalism†
Economics†
Electronic Media/Broadcasting†
Elementary Education*†
English†
English, Secondary Education*†
Environmental Science
Exercise Science
Fermentation Sciences
Finance and Banking†
Gender, Women’s and Sexuality
Studies†
Geography†
Geology*
Global Studies†
Graphic Communications
Management
Graphic Design
Health and Physical Education (K-12)*†
Health Care Management†
History†
History/Social Studies Education*†
Hospitality and Tourism Management†
Industrial Design
Interdisciplinary Studies†
Interior Design
International Business†
Languages, Literatures and Cultures*†
Management†
Marketing†
Mathematics*†
Middle Grades Education (6-9)*†
Music Education (K-12)*
Music Industry Studies
Music Performance
Music Therapy
Nursing Nutrition and Foods†
Philosophy†
Photography
Physics*
Political Science†
Professional Studies†
Psychology†
Public Health†
Public Relations
Recreation Management†
Religious Studies†
Risk Management and Insurance†
Social Work†
Sociology†
Special Education (K-12)*†
Studio Art
Supply Chain Management†
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Technology
Theatre Arts*
Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Dental
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Forest Resources
Pre-Law
Pre-Medical
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Theology
Pre-Veterinarian
Studies in pre-professional areas are available within a variety of majors and require early consultation with academic advisors.
App State Online Programs
Advertising
Career and Technical Education
Child Development
Communication Studies
Management
Middle Grades Education
Nutrition and Foods
Professional Studies
RN-BSN
Social Work
Supply Chain Management
Veterinary Technology
Workforce Leadership and Development
* Majors available as Teacher Education. † Majors available at the Hickory campus.
Keep Exploring
Search by profession, program name, location or discipline to find the program that fits you.
appstate.edu/majors
Not ready to decide?
That’s OK! We are here to help guide you through the process of making a decision about your major and future career path.
careers.appstate.edu/exploremajors-and-careers
The App State Experience
You’ll thrive in our challenging and supportive academic environment, which provides a global perspective, advocates for sustainability, enables research and builds community through service.
Research
App State prepares the problemsolvers of tomorrow. Beginning with your first semester, you’ll engage in scholarly research that opens doors to sought-after internships and postgraduate degrees.
Global Learning
At App State, you’ll have opportunities to explore the world at home or abroad. Through study abroad, international studies courses, and collaborative research with scholars, students and faculty from around the world, you will engage in experiences that increase your knowledge of global issues, regions and cultures.
Sustainability
Sustainability at App State is not a trend, it’s a tradition. The core values surrounding economic, social and environmental resilience are key components of our academic and student life. In and beyond the classroom, you’ll have opportunities to participate in research, creative thinking and active innovation that will make a difference here and around the world.
Green Colleges
Community and Service
Mountaineers move mountains. Through service and outreach, on campus and beyond, you’ll discover the difference you can make for others, and learn more about yourself.
$9 million
Student Success
App State has the resources and support you need to stay focused and on track – academically, financially and personally. We have systems and strategies in place to ensure you have the help you need in all three areas.
Academics and Advising
The Disco Student Learning Center offers resources and support to help you learn more effectively – whether you're struggling with a class or just need a little extra help.
Academic Advising is key to timely graduation and fundamental to student success. Your assigned academic advisor will help you learn the requirements needed to achieve your goals.
The University Writing Center is a free resource available to all students. Experienced writers and attentive readers serve as consultants who will work with you one-on-one.
Career Development Center assists you in finding internship and part-time job opportunities, and with resumé reviews, interview preparation, career coaching and more.
Wellness, Health and Safety
Appalachian Cares is your source for wellness, health and safety information, resources, and support for the campus community. App State offers many dedicated resources on our campus to help you navigate the challenges of student life safely and successfully. This is a good place to start –appcares.appstate.edu.
Student Health Service is a primary care campus health clinic helping to meet the needs of App State students.
Counseling and Psychological Services assists the App State Community in maximizing the personal growth and development of its members. Services focus on education, prevention, remediation and crisis management.
Wellness and Prevention Services serves all students through the promotion of healthy behaviors, risk behavior modification services and advocacy for campuswide health policies, which facilitate student success and holistic well-being.
The App State Police Department keeps our campus safe and works to maintain a welcoming community for our students, employees and visitors. The department is nationally recognized for its innovative Police Officer Development Program and focus on community engagement.
The Office of Environmental Health, Safety & Emergency Management works in coordination with other departments to build a safe and prepared campus and holds the primary responsibility for environmental health, safety and emergency management functions across campus. Appalachian Safety App can turn your phone into an additional personal safety device.
Mountaineer Safe Walk is a campus safety escort service for students at any Boone campus building or parking lot during the evening hours.
650+ annual employer visits through on-campus career fairs
#1 graduation rate in the Sun Belt Conference
400+ clubs and organizations
Life at App State
50+ multicultural and international clubs and organizations
35 sororities and fraternities
Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Council
Meet Your Community
At App State, you'll find a community that will help you reach your personal and professional peaks – inside and outside the classroom. From day one, you’ll be welcomed to be an active part in campus life with opportunities to explore your passions, develop valuable leadership skills and create lifelong bonds, friendships and professional networks.
Game On
Whether you’re a Mountaineers fan, an outdoor enthusiast, looking to play for fun, wanting to get or keep fit or all of the above, App State has plenty to offer.
17 NCAA Division 1 varsity sports
100+ intramural and club sports
11 recreational and athletic facilities
Free tickets to all home games
Explore the Arts
App State presents vibrant arts and humanities programs that enrich the cultural and intellectual climate of the campus and region. You’ll find a performance, exhibition or workshop to your liking almost every day of the year.
14 exhibition and performance venues on campus
600+ arts and humanities events annually
Free workshops arts and humanities events annually
Free or reduced cost tickets
to concerts and art events
Bring Your APPetite
Do you eat two meals or five meals a day? Love to graze in between classes? Need a place to study and grab a late-night snack? You’ll find plenty of choices among our meal plan options to best fit your lifestyle, budget and schedule.
and more)
27% of food served is sourced locally – often from our own sustainable farm
100+ tons of pre-consumer organic material composted yearly
40% of university waste diverted from landfills through reduction, recycling and composting
Make Yourself at Home
Part of the App State Experience in Boone is living on campus. You’ll be within walking distance of campus resources with quick, easy access to classes, faculty offices, dining, recreation facilities, the library, events and more.
Whether you live in a residence hall or not, both of App State’s campuses further cultivate a sense of community through a variety of spaces on campus where students can meet and mingle.
What will your room look like?
Check out 360° views of rooms and amenities.
Our First Home
Boone is a safe and friendly college town — with a bustling downtown filled with shops, restaurants and arts.
Looking for more? More than 2 million acres of pristine national forests and parks can be found just minutes from campus, offering an endless array of outdoor activities.
#1 Most Beautiful and Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. Travel + Leisure
Best Places to Live in NC U.S. News & World Report
Our Newest Home
App State Hickory is a cutting-edge campus in the heart of the growing, vibrant Catawba Valley. Live and play in what Travel + Leisure calls one of North Carolina’s most beautiful places.
Top & Best Value Colleges in America
Invest in Your Future
App State is consistently ranked among the best value colleges in America. Here, you can invest in your future and get a greater return, for less.
Explore financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, student employment opportunities, Federal Work-Study programs and loans. You might be surprised how much support is available.
Estimated Direct Costs for the 2023-24 Academic Year
70%
Check out your options. appstate.edu/costs
*Students enrolled at the Hickory campus are exempt from App State housing and meal plans.
Scholarships
We're committed to making App State affordable for all students. Each year, App State awards an average of $25 million to students based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $5 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually.
Apply to App State
Complete File the Receive Apply Application FAFSA Decision Deposit
Early Action: Early Action: FAFSA Opens
Early Action: May 1
Apply by Nov. 1 Submit all in December Decision by Submit your supplemental (School Code Jan. 25 deposit to materials by 002906) secure your Nov. 15
Students must apply Early Action to be eligible for App State scholarships.
Regular Decision: spot! Decision by
Regular Decision: Regular Decision: March 15
Applications received after Feb. 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Apply by Feb. 1 Submit all supplemental materials by Feb. 15
Steps to apply
Complete an application (apply using the Common Application)
Provide your official high school transcript(s)
Provide your official transcript(s) for any completed college coursework
Submit $65 application fee (or approved fee waiver)
Provide SAT or ACT scores (or opt in for test waiver)
Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov
Apply Early – Plan Now!
admissions.appstate.edu/apply