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.

More Than a Location

Our beautiful setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains is more than a location — it profoundly shapes how our community lives, works and learns together. Our commitment to sustainability is a tradition, not a trend, and App State is an active steward of North Carolina’s interconnected financial, cultural and natural resources.

This commitment shows in many ways, including our tuition rates, textbook rental program, commitment to energy efficiency, economic viability and equitable citizenship. Because of this and much more, App State is consistently recognized among the "Best" and "Top" colleges in the nation and the Southeast, according to such national publications as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes magazine and Money.com.

Comprehensive Degree Offerings

App State offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate degree programs through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Reich College of Education, Walker College of Business, Hayes School of Music, Beaver College of Health Sciences and Williams School of Graduate Studies. App State also offers doctorate degrees in education and psychology.

Undergraduate Research

App State encourages opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research projects alongside their professors. Their work is showcased during the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors held on campus as well as at professional conferences in the region and across the United States.

A Bachelor’s to Master’s Plan that Makes Sense

Many of our undergraduate students choose to build upon their undergraduate work — while saving tuition dollars — with App State’s Accelerated Master’s program. It allows undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses during their senior year and earn both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from App State in about five years.

Graduate Studies

App State offers 80 graduate degree and certificate programs, which prepare our students for success in the workforce as well as in life. Under the mentorship of their professors, our graduate students often conduct primary research, are published and present at professional conferences.

A Sustainable Mission

App State’s leadership in sustainability is known nationally. Our three-branched approach asks us to consider if actions are sustainable economically, environmentally and equitably in relationship to our planet’s co-inhabitants. These three areas often intersect to create a deep and real sustainability. Such commitment to research, creativity, innovation and practice is making a difference now and for our future.

Community and Civic Engagement

App State is recognized nationally in the areas of community and civic engagement and service-learning. The intersection of classroom learning and real-world experience is a powerful combination. This work sets us apart from other institutions and leads us all to value how our lives, no matter our professions, can become more meaningful by serving others. App State’s  commitment to service is evidenced across campus and beyond, which led to a recent community engagement classification by the Carnegie Foundation.

Student Health and Safety

A safe and healthy environment is key to our students’ ability to focus on their education and all the experiences that will positively shape a transformational App State Experience. App State’s tradition of caring for students is a deep and broad commitment — one that extends throughout our entire community.

Global Proficiency

At App State, our students engage in multiple and varied experiences — both at home and abroad — to increase their knowledge of global issues, regions and cultures, improve their intercultural skills and demonstrate global citizenship.