History
Appalachian was founded in 1899. The pioneering spirit necessary to overcome the mountains’ hardships quickly characterized the institution, giving Appalachian a special niche in higher education that continues today. After more than a century, students still feel the pull of this unique place to transform their lives.
Education
We bring people together in inspiring ways. The transformational Appalachian experience develops individuals who are eager to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, to embrace diversity and difference, and to become contributing members of society.
Research
Appalachian’s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina provides unique opportunities for research and scholarship. Passionate and creative faculty come here to stay, and students learn in academically challenging settings under their close mentorship. Small communities, access to diverse natural resources and significant weather patterns combine with a university culture that supports innovative, interdisciplinary pedagogy, making our location one that is not only stunningly beautiful, but also intellectually stimulating.
Career
The Career Development Center serves all students and alumni pursuing various future professional endeavors. Our services include resume reviews, career coaching, job and internship search assistance, and other tools to achieve life and professional success.
Student services
There are lots of ways for international students and globally-minded US students to get involved on campus. Some of the opportunities we offer:
- ACT
- Clubs and Organizations
- Diversity Celebration
- International Community Development Inititative
- Multicultural Student Development
- Office of Student Research
Housing services
University Housing is committed to meeting the needs of all students, to the best of its ability, by providing an inclusive, respectful and safe living environment. University Housing takes these concerns very seriously.
ICT services
ITS continues to make security one of our top priorities, and we encourage you to set up connections to our Secure WiFi Network for all devices you use to connect to the Internet. Our Secure WiFi provides encryption for all online interactions. Each device must be registered in order to connect to the Secure ASU Network.
Medical services
Each year, Appalachian State University’s Division of Student Affairs hosts events during Health, Wellness and Safety Week to highlight and promote the diverse needs of enrolled students, providing the opportunity to enhance students’ knowledge of on- and off-campus support services and resources for health and safety efforts.
Campus life
At Appalachian, campus life amplifies what you learn in the classroom. You will find hundreds of programs designed to enhance your cultural, intellectual, leadership, personal and professional development. We call these cocurricular experiences, because they support — and are supported by — the classroom learning experience.
Sports facilities
More than 450 student-athletes compete in 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports at Appalachian State University, and dedicated fans love to cheer them on. App State was a dominant force in the Southern Conference for more than 40 years. On July 1, 2014, Appalachian State moved to the Sun Belt Conference - one of 10 conferences that are members of the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). All varsity teams compete in the Sun Belt Conference, except for field hockey and wrestling.
Student clubs
Clubs and organizations are an important part of the Appalachian experience. Part of the mission of ASU is to help students develop skills so they will become good citizens and strong contributors in the communities they join. Joining a business-oriented club further develops students as professionals and, along with their major coursework, helps orient members to their fields of choice.
Accreditation
Appalachian State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, intermediate, and doctoral degrees.
Appalachian State University Overview
Appalachian State University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 28% United States
Top 18.9% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
2161
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 280 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1636 | 1881 | 2161 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Appalachian State University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
Boone City
#2 Branch Campus
United States Country
Carolina Beach City
Appalachian State University Student Reviews & Awards
4
Based on 87 reviews
- 5 Star 16 Reviews
- 4 Star 54 Reviews
- 3 Star 16 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.0
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.5
- Quality of Student Life 4.1
- Career Development 4.3
The Hayes School of Music Is What you Let It To Be
The Hayes School of Music can be everything—if you let it. The opportunities, faculty, and resources are there, but it’s up to you to show up, ask questions, and use them. What you put in is exactly what you get out!
Growing campus, scarce parking
Good school, but it is growing so rent and parking spaces are limited. Especially when tourist season comes (fall when the leaves hit, and when ski season starts). The chancellor doesn't really listen to the students, she only really cares about growing the school. Football team is the most overfunded part of the entire university, which sucks because most of our other teams do well and deserve the recognition.
The Arts and Communications
Appalachian State University does an exceptional job equipping students with support systems, ensuring a constant reinforcement both academically and emotionally/psychologically. The art departments, both performance and visual, do suffer from lower funding than its STEM counterparts. The education quality, however, is not reflected on the low budgeting. The professors truly build a personal relationship with students to promote personal and educational growth.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?