Costs and Aid
An App State education is a valuable investment in your future. You want it. You deserve it. You can do this!
Appalachian State University
Keeping College Affordable
App State is consistently ranked among the best value colleges in America, meaning you can invest in your future for less. From interactive financial planning tools to information about aid, scholarships and student employment, learn how you can fund your App State education.
Undergraduate Costs
Estimated Costs for the 2025-26 Academic Year
Boone Campus Hickory Campus
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In-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$8,379
Cost of Attendance detailsStandard On-Campus Housing*
$7,458
More optionsStandard Meal Plan*
$5,796
More optionsTotal Annual
$21,633 -
Out-of-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$26,541
Cost of Attendance detailsStandard On-Campus Housing*
$7,458
More optionsStandard Meal Plan*
$5,796
More optionsTotal Annual
$39,795
Any financial aid and scholarship assistance you receive can be applied to the total cost of attendance.
* Students enrolled at the Hickory campus are exempt from App State housing and meal plans.
Graduate Costs
Estimated costs for the 2024-25 Academic Year
Boone Campus
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In-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$5,954*
Cost of Attendance details -
Out-of-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$17,068*
Cost of Attendance details
*Excludes Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics and Master of Science in Athletic Training. Additional tuition and fee information can be found here.
App State Online Costs
Estimated costs for the 2025-26 Academic Year
Online Programs
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Undergraduate In-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$5,624*
Cost of Attendance details -
Undergraduate Out-of-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$23,785*
Cost of Attendance details -
Graduate In-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$4,165**
Cost of Attendance details -
Graduate Out-of-State Residents
Tuition and Fees
$15,279**
Cost of Attendance details
* Undergraduate tuition is for full-time, 12-hour course loads. Additional tuition and fee information can be found here.
** Excludes Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration. Additional tuition and fee information can be found here.
Estimate Your Costs
Use the Net Price Calculator to estimate what it may cost to attend App State.
Your net price is determined by taking the cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing and other related expenses) and subtracting any grants and scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Financial Aid
For approximately 70% of App State students, financial aid helps make education accessible. The financial aid process can be overwhelming for those who have never been through it, but it’s completely manageable if you know what to do.
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How to apply for financial aid
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1. Apply for admission to App State
- Visit Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions to learn about the application process, deadlines and requirements.
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2. Complete the FAFSA
- Apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as early as possible! We strongly recommend completing the FAFSA in January to ensure you are considered for all aid and scholarship opportunities.
Use School Code 002906 to send your information to App State. - Pro Tip: If you made a mistake, you can always log back in, update your FAFSA, and resubmit at any time.
- Apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as early as possible! We strongly recommend completing the FAFSA in January to ensure you are considered for all aid and scholarship opportunities.
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3. Apply for scholarships
- Scholarships are available to new, transfer and returning students. And the best part is, these are considered “gift” aid; no repayment is needed!
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What happens next?
- When App State receives your FAFSA, the Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships reviews your eligibility for financial aid, including federal and state grants, and then packages your aid together into a financial aid overview.
- Incoming students will receive an official financial aid award in March. Returning students will receive an official financial aid award at the end of spring semester. You must sign in to your AppalNet account to review and take action on your financial aid award.
- Bills are generated in July. You will be billed separately for fall and spring semesters. Learn more about payment options from our Office of Student Accounts.
- Questions? The Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships is here to help! Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 828-262-2190 or schedule an appointment with our financial aid counselors.
Scholarships
Each year, App State awards an average of $25 million to students based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement, and enrolls hundreds of students into Selective Academic Programs. Scholarships are available to new, transfer and continuing students. On average, about $5 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually.
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First-year Scholarships
- Chancellor's Scholars
Full institutional costs (tuition, fees, room and board) and more - Impact Scholars
full in-state tuition, fees and more - Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship
full in-state tuition, fees and more - Beaver Scholars
$10,000 annual scholarship - W.H. Plemmons Leadership Scholars
$2,000 annual scholarship and more - How to apply: Complete an application for admission by Nov. 1 to be automatically considered for first-year scholarships. Additional essays for the Chancellor's Scholarship, health sciences scholarships and education scholarships must be completed by Nov. 15.
- Chancellor's Scholars
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Appalachian Excellence Scholarship
(for first-year students)- Appalachian Excellence Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for first-year students who enroll in the Fall.
- How to apply: Apply for admission by November 1 to be automatically considered.
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ACCESS
(for first-year students)- ACCESS is a need-based program for first-year students in North Carolina. The scholarship supplements federal grants, state grants and scholarships to cover full institutional costs (tuition, fees, room and board) for up to four years (eight consecutive semesters).
- How to apply: Complete an application for admission by Nov. 1 to be automatically considered for first-year scholarships. Additional essays for the Chancellor's Scholarship, health sciences scholarships and education scholarships must be completed by Nov. 15.
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Selective Academic Programs
(for first-year students)- The Honors College offers enriched academic, social, and leadership experiences for high-achieving and high-potential students.
- Watauga Residential College, a residential college for Appalachian’s most creative students to explore their passions both in and out of the classroom.
- Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES) is a 4-year scholar program for future teachers focuses on mentoring, leadership, service and professional development.
- How to apply: Complete an application for admission by Nov. 1 and complete a Signature Scholarship and Selective Academic Programs application by Nov. 15
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College and Departmental Scholarships
- College and Departmental Scholarships are for incoming, current and transfer students, which include mentorship, research opportunities and select opportunities for experiential learning. Opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad and networking vary by scholarship. Amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000.
- How to apply: Applications vary by scholarship.
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Transfer Scholarships
- Transfer Scholarships are for incoming transfer students planning to enroll in the fall.
- How to apply: Complete your admission application by Feb. 1 to receive priority consideration. Students who apply after the priority deadline will be considered based on the availability of scholarship funds.
Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships
Several scholarships are available to graduate students. In addition, main campus students may apply for assistantships, and online and main campus students may contact their department to inquire about the availability of program-specific scholarships.
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Grants
Grant assistance refers to funding that does not have to be repaid, and eligibility is typically determined on the basis of financial need. Appalachian administers a variety of grants to eligible students from federal, state, and institutional resources.
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Loans
Unlike grants, loans must be paid back -- often with interest. Federal Direct Loans are funded by the federal government. Private educational loans are offered by a lender such as a bank, credit union or state agency.
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Student Employment
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. Apply by completing the FAFSA. Once awarded, all available work-study jobs can be found on Handshake, App’s online career services portal.
If you want to work on campus but don’t qualify for federal work-study, you can apply for jobs through Student Employment.
Calculating Financial Need
Two types of federal financial aid programs:
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Need-based
How need-based aid is determined
The federal government reviews your FAFSA to estimate how much you and your family can afford to pay for college. This amount is your Student Aid Index (SAI). Your SAI determines eligibility for various award programs.
Meanwhile, App State determines the Cost of Attendance (COA), which is an estimate of how much it will cost to attend App State as full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Your COA includes indirect costs, which are expenses you will likely incur, but will not pay to the university. Indirect costs vary from student to student and may include off-campus housing, transportation to campus and elective expenses (clothing, food and personal hygiene items).
App State calculates Financial Need by subtracting the SAI from the COA. Your Financial Need is how much need-based aid you can get.
COA - SAI = Financial Need
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Non-need based
How non-need-based aid is determined
Non-need-based aid is financial aid that is not based on your SAI. What matters is your Cost of Attendance (COA) and how much other assistance you’ve been offered so far.
App State determines how much non-need-based aid you can get by subtracting any financial aid you’ve already been offered from the COA.
COA - Financial Aid Offered So Far = Eligibility for Non-need-based aid
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70%
of App State students received some form of financial aid
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25%
of our students graduate with no college debt
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Top 4
for lowest average student debt in NC
Institute for College Access & Success, 2019-2020 cohort
Questions? Let us help.
We know this is a lot to process. Financial aid and admission counselors are available to help you with your questions. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call.