Boone, NC · Private University
Is Appalachian State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$51,836
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,541
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,537
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$98,148
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.11x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
73.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,231
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,487
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Appalachian State University graduates earn $6,836 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Appalachian State University ranked by graduate earnings
90 graduates
103 graduates
23 graduates
99 graduates
122 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Appalachian State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Appalachian State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $84,108) and the lowest (Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: $21,143) is $62,965/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $84,108 | 3.4x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $74,624 | 3.0x |
| International Business | $73,504 | 3.0x |
| Construction Management | $69,955 | 2.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $69,084 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $67,922 | 2.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,602 | 2.7x |
| Insurance | $64,611 | 2.6x |
| Economics | $58,848 | 2.4x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $56,340 | 2.3x |
| Marketing | $54,315 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,226 | 2.2x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $52,157 | 2.1x |
| Chemistry | $51,055 | 2.1x |
| Biology, General | $50,786 | 2.1x |
| Geography and Cartography | $50,526 | 2.1x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $49,472 | 2.0x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,073 | 2.0x |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $47,333 | 1.9x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $47,131 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $46,853 | 1.9x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $45,914 | 1.9x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $45,427 | 1.9x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $45,073 | 1.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,739 | 1.8x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $44,571 | 1.8x |
| Public Health | $43,580 | 1.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $42,295 | 1.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $42,066 | 1.7x |
| Social Work | $41,990 | 1.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,774 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,584 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,125 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,033 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $39,883 | 1.6x |
| International/Global Studies | $38,769 | 1.6x |
| Food Science and Technology(1yr data) | $38,743 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $38,446 | 1.6x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $38,381 | 1.6x |
| Journalism | $37,704 | 1.5x |
| Psychology, General | $36,627 | 1.5x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,423 | 1.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $33,949 | 1.4x |
| History | $32,372 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,366 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,483 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $30,443 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,183 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28,084 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $24,657 | 1.0x |
| Music(1yr data) | $23,304 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLowest(1yr data) | $21,143 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Appalachian State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $51,836 10 years after starting — $6,836 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.