ASU vs. AU

Appalachian State University and Anderson University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Appalachian State University
Anderson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (54.7% admitted vs 90.1%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: ASU. Average net price is $14,978 vs $24,434 at AU.
  • Graduation: ASU 65% vs AU 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ASU $41,600 vs AU $37,500 (median).
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Key differences

Appalachian State University Anderson University
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
ASU90.1%
AU54.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ASU higher
ASU1120-1280
AU1100-1280
Average net price
ASU $9,456 less
ASU$14,978
AU$24,434
In-state tuition
ASU $27,391 less
ASU$7,579
AU$34,970
Out-of-state tuition
ASU $9,758 less
ASU$25,212
AU$34,970
Graduation rate
ASU +17 pts
ASU65%
AU48%
Median earnings (10 years)
ASU +$4,100
ASU$41,600
AU$37,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ASU 24,614
  • AU 4,548
  • Admitted
  • ASU 22,188
  • AU 2,488
  • Acceptance rate
  • ASU 90.1%
  • AU 54.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ASU 18.2%
  • AU 32.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ASU 1200
  • AU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • ASU 24
  • AU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • ASU 3.96
  • AU 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • ASU A
  • AU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • ASU Average
  • AU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • ASU
  • AU Low
  • SAT range
  • ASU 1120-1280
  • AU 1100-1280
  • ACT range
  • ASU 21-27
  • AU 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • ASU Test optional
  • AU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ASU Feb 1, 2027
  • AU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ASU $7,579
  • AU $34,970
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ASU $25,212
  • AU $34,970
  • Room & board
  • ASU $12,868
  • AU $12,720
  • Average net price
  • ASU $14,978
  • AU $24,434
  • Average grant aid
  • ASU $8,014
  • AU $25,969
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ASU 46%
  • AU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • ASU 65%
  • AU 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ASU $41,600
  • AU $37,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • ASU 74%
  • AU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ASU $20,500
  • AU $26,862
  • Median loan payment
  • ASU $211
  • AU $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ASU 16:1
  • AU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • ASU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • ASU Boone, NC
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • Setting
  • ASU Distant Town
  • AU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • ASU 21,570
  • AU 4,710
  • Type
  • ASU Public 4 Year
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ASU #599
  • AU #662

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Appalachian State University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 4,710 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
  • Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Anderson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 1.2% lower than at Appalachian State University ($12,720 vs. $12,868).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 38.7% higher at AU than at Appalachian State University (about $9,758 more per year; $34,970 vs. $25,212).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at Appalachian State University (98% vs. 46%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 224% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($25,969 vs. $8,014).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at AU than at ASU (25 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ASU and AU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ASU average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at AU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 32.5% at AU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,362 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($211 vs. $277).
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 60%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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