College Grad Analyst
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North Carolina · Public · Predominantly bachelor's

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina. 19,304 undergraduate students. 147 programs in the federal Field-of-Study dataset.

UNITID 197869 · OPEID 002906 · IPEDS HDVINTAGE · COLLEGE SCORECARD · 2025-05 · HISTORY 1996–2024
ANOMALY ENGINE · NOTABLE SIGNALS

Earnings, completion, debt, and enrollment anomalies at Appalachian State University

Short-arc shifts (recent 3-year window), peer outliers, earnings trend breaks, completion drops, enrollment cliffs, and debt-to-earnings warnings — surfaced deterministically from the federal record. Multi-decade shifts are reported separately in the Long Arc section, since 25-year tuition drift isn't really an anomaly.

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER-100%

3-year cohort default rate

3-year cohort default rate at Appalachian State University fell 100% between 2021 and 2024 (1.3% → 0.0%).

SECTION 01 · OUTCOMES SNAPSHOT

Appalachian State University earnings, debt, and completion vs. the North Carolina median

Each tile compares this institution to the North Carolina median for the same metric. Sub-line shows the comparison value, not an interpretation. Sparklines trace the federally available history.

MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10Y
$51,836+19% · 6→10y
North Carolina median $36,030
MEDIAN EARNINGS · 6Y
$43,663
Treasury earnings · 6y post-entry
COMPLETION · 150%
73.1%+20% · '97→'24
North Carolina median 46.1%
MEDIAN FEDERAL DEBT
$15,750+158% · '97→'20
At program completion
UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT
19,304+80% · '96→'24
latest IPEDS
RETENTION
85.3%-0% · '04→'24
first-time, full-time
ADMISSION RATE
88.6%+38% · '01→'24
latest cohort
IN-STATE TUITION
$7,541+281% · '00→'24
out-of-state $24,537
SECTION 02 · EARNINGS HORIZONS

How Appalachian State University earnings spread, 4 to 10 years after entry

Treasury tax-record earnings for federally aided students who first enrolled at this institution. Each point is a horizon from the most-recent vintage. Single median per horizon (no p25/p75 publishing).

ALL FEDERALLY AIDED STUDENTS · TAX-RECORD EARNINGSVINTAGE 2025-05
Earnings widen with time post-entry. Selection: federal-aid recipients only — not all graduates.Methodology →
SECTION 03 · DEBT-TO-EARNINGS

What loans cost relative to earnings at Appalachian State University

Annual debt service as a share of median earnings 10 years after entry, computed under federal Direct loan terms (10-year fixed at 6%). The 8% line is the gainful-employment threshold from federal regulation; above 12% has historically been considered “failing” under prior rule cycles.

Institution-wide

4.0%
0%8% · GE20%+

Median federal debt $15,750 amortized over 10 years vs. median earnings $51,836 (10y after entry).

SECTION 04 · LONG ARC

Appalachian State University enrollment, completion, and debt over time

Federally available history. Coverage varies by metric — IPEDS publishes some series only after 2009 and others only before.

UNDERGRAD · 1996–202419,444
19,44410,82319962024
Undergraduate enrollment.IPEDS EF
COMPLETION 150% · 1997–202474.5%
75%59%19972024
150%-time completion rate.IPEDS GR
MEDIAN DEBT · 1997–2020$20,231
$20,500$7,40019972020
Median federal student debt at exit.SCORECARD
COMPLETION · 150% · 1997→2024+20%

Appalachian State University · completion · 150% rose

61.9% → 74.5%

COMPLETION · 100% · 1997→2024+100%

Appalachian State University · completion · 100% rose

29.3% → 58.7%

UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT · 1996→2024+80%

Appalachian State University · undergrad enrollment rose

10,823 → 19,444

IN-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+281%

Appalachian State University · in-state tuition rose

$1,988 → $7,579

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+170%

Appalachian State University · out-of-state tuition rose

$9,327 → $25,212

MEDIAN DEBT · 1997→2020+158%

Appalachian State University · median debt rose

$7,845 → $20,231

COHORT DEFAULT RATE · 2011→2024-100%

Appalachian State University · cohort default rate fell

3.0% → 0.0%

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_10YR · 2007→2020+26%

Appalachian State University · earnings_median_10yr rose

$41,300 → $51,836

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_8YR · 2005→2020+29%

Appalachian State University · earnings_median_8yr rose

$37,500 → $48,423

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_6YR · 2003→2020+30%

Appalachian State University · earnings_median_6yr rose

$33,700 → $43,663

SECTION 05 · PROGRAMS

Appalachian State University programs ranked by 5-year earnings

Each row is one (CIP × credential) program reported by the institution in College Scorecard's Field-of-Study data. Cohort floor is 30 students; below this, federal data is suppressed.

Computer ScienceCIP 1107 · Bachelor's Degree$102,68889 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesCIP 5203 · Master's Degree$88,33138 gradsFinance and Financial Management ServicesCIP 5208 · Bachelor's Degree$88,101113 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionCIP 1304 · First Professional Degree$82,079—Management Information Systems and ServicesCIP 5212 · Bachelor's Degree$81,61291 gradsInsuranceCIP 5217 · Bachelor's Degree$80,27276 gradsInternational BusinessCIP 5211 · Bachelor's Degree$79,58015 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Master's Degree$78,48445 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesCIP 5203 · Bachelor's Degree$78,15886 gradsConstruction ManagementCIP 5220 · Bachelor's Degree$76,819131 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Bachelor's Degree$76,064143 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCIP 4228 · Master's Degree$70,12317 gradsEnergy Systems Technologies/TechniciansCIP 1517 · Bachelor's Degree$67,517—Biology, GeneralCIP 2601 · Bachelor's Degree$67,233148 gradsGeography and CartographyCIP 4507 · Bachelor's Degree$67,12618 gradsEconomicsCIP 4506 · Bachelor's Degree$66,18138 gradsPublic AdministrationCIP 4404 · Master's Degree$65,99938 gradsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesCIP 5131 · Master's Degree$63,27530 gradsPhysicsCIP 4008 · Bachelor's Degree$61,85827 gradsChemistryCIP 4005 · Bachelor's Degree$61,60145 gradsMathematicsCIP 2701 · Bachelor's Degree$61,27138 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Bachelor's Degree$60,338233 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCIP 5102 · Master's Degree$60,18430 gradsEducational/Instructional Media DesignCIP 1305 · Master's Degree$60,06616 grads
Showing top 24 of 65 ranked programs.147 TOTAL PROGRAMS
SECTION 06 · BY CIP FAMILY

65 Appalachian State University programs with earnings, grouped by field

Programs are grouped by 2-digit CIP family. Programs without reported earnings are hidden to keep the list focused.

COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES · CIP 11

Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree$102,68889 grads

EDUCATION · CIP 13

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's Degree$46,027223 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasBachelor's Degree$46,827138 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionMaster's Degree$59,94459 gradsStudent Counseling and Personnel ServicesMaster's Degree$51,81143 gradsSpecial Education and TeachingBachelor's Degree$49,42439 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasMaster's Degree$47,69337 gradsEducational/Instructional Media DesignMaster's Degree$60,06616 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionFirst Professional Degree$82,079—

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES · CIP 15

Energy Systems Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's Degree$67,517—

FOREIGN LANGUAGES · CIP 16

Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsBachelor's Degree$46,827—

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES · CIP 19

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesBachelor's Degree$44,14738 gradsApparel and TextilesBachelor's Degree$44,82028 grads

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE · CIP 23

English Language and Literature, GeneralBachelor's Degree$37,97794 grads

LIBRARY SCIENCE · CIP 25

Library Science and AdministrationMaster's Degree$55,57527 grads

BIOLOGICAL & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES · CIP 26

Biology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$67,233148 gradsEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyBachelor's Degree$43,366—

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS · CIP 27

MathematicsBachelor's Degree$61,27138 grads

PARKS, RECREATION & FITNESS · CIP 31

Health and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's Degree$54,550228 gradsParks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities ManagementBachelor's Degree$39,49859 gradsHealth and Physical Education/FitnessMaster's Degree$55,82021 grads

PHYSICAL SCIENCES · CIP 40

ChemistryBachelor's Degree$61,60145 gradsPhysicsBachelor's Degree$61,85827 gradsGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesBachelor's Degree$52,19417 grads

PSYCHOLOGY · CIP 42

Psychology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$42,768307 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyMaster's Degree$70,12317 grads

HOMELAND SECURITY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES · CIP 43

Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's Degree$50,569128 grads

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & SOCIAL SERVICES · CIP 44

Social WorkBachelor's Degree$48,16499 gradsSocial WorkMaster's Degree$51,59053 gradsPublic AdministrationMaster's Degree$65,99938 grads

SOCIAL SCIENCES · CIP 45

Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's Degree$47,799113 gradsAnthropologyBachelor's Degree$40,32355 gradsEconomicsBachelor's Degree$66,18138 gradsSociologyBachelor's Degree$44,66233 gradsGeography and CartographyBachelor's Degree$67,12618 gradsGeography and CartographyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma$55,560—

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS · CIP 50

Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's Degree$54,970167 gradsFine and Studio ArtsBachelor's Degree$34,20941 gradsDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's Degree$28,08429 gradsArts, Entertainment,and Media ManagementBachelor's Degree$46,03319 grads

HEALTH PROFESSIONS · CIP 51

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's Degree$76,064143 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesBachelor's Degree$58,48091 gradsPublic HealthBachelor's Degree$48,53175 gradsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesBachelor's Degree$50,31769 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesBachelor's Degree$59,22843 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesMaster's Degree$60,18430 gradsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesMaster's Degree$63,27530 gradsAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBachelor's Degree$43,0489 grads

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & MARKETING · CIP 52

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's Degree$60,338233 gradsMarketingBachelor's Degree$59,640166 gradsConstruction ManagementBachelor's Degree$76,819131 gradsFinance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's Degree$88,101113 gradsManagement Information Systems and ServicesBachelor's Degree$81,61291 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesBachelor's Degree$78,15886 gradsInsuranceBachelor's Degree$80,27276 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's Degree$78,48445 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesMaster's Degree$88,33138 gradsHospitality Administration/ManagementBachelor's Degree$57,95734 gradsInternational BusinessBachelor's Degree$79,58015 grads

HISTORY · CIP 54

HistoryBachelor's Degree$39,25439 grads

NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION · CIP 03

Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchBachelor's Degree$41,388123 grads

COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM · CIP 09

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor's Degree$55,221157 gradsCommunication and Media StudiesBachelor's Degree$45,56881 gradsRadio, Television, and Digital CommunicationBachelor's Degree$44,17355 gradsJournalismBachelor's Degree$48,07841 grads
FINANCIAL OUTCOME · ILLUSTRATION

Estimate the financial outcome at Appalachian State University

Pick a program. Cost from Scorecard net price by family income; earnings from Treasury 5-year-post-completion median, projected forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve. The selection-bias toggle applies the Dale-Krueger shrinkage. Outcomes illustration, not a forecast — see methodology.

Shrinks the earnings premium toward the matched-applicant mean. STEM <15%, business ~40%, arts & education ~60%.

NET PRESENT VALUE
$41,537
Over 40 years, discounted 5.0%
BREAKEVEN
Year 27
First year cumulative discounted earnings cross zero
graduationbreakeven · year 27year 0year 39
Cost per year
$15,766
HS-only baseline · NC
$35,600
Years to complete
4
CIP family
42

Outcomes illustration · not a forecast. Projects observed Scorecard earnings forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve under your assumptions. See methodology for the math.

SECTION 07 · SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

Institutions similar to Appalachian State University in North Carolina

Picked by Carnegie sector × predominant credential level. These are not rankings — just nearest-neighbour surfaces for comparison.

WILMINGTON$55.0k

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 71% completion
CULLOWHEE$49.5k

Western Carolina University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 59% completion
DURHAM$43.0k

NCCU

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 46% completion
GREENVILLE$55.1k

ECU

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 62% completion
CHAPEL HILL$72.2k

UNC

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 92% completion
CAUSAL DISCIPLINE

“Appalachian State University graduates earn $X” — not “Appalachian State University makes you earn $X”

Median earnings describe what cohorts earned. They do not describe what attending Appalachian State University caused. Selection effects (who admits, who enrolls, who completes) are real. We publish federal data with strict descriptive phrasing — and link the methodology where you can read about the limitations directly.

Methodology →