UNC Charlotte vs App State

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and Appalachian State University (ASU) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. UNCC boasts a larger student body and a more diverse campus, while ASU offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes. Additionally, UNCC has a higher acceptance rate and a wider range of academic programs, including engineering and business, while ASU excels in liberal arts and education. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Appalachian State University	University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Overview
Location	Boone, North Carolina	Charlotte, North Carolina
Campus setting	Town: Distant	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	84.7%	79.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1130 - 1300	1120 - 1320
ACT range	24 - 29	21 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	9.0%	21.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%	54.0%
Total number of applicants	21,120	20,366
Total number of admissions given out	17,886	16,180
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,099	4,256
Yield rate	22.9%	26.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $22,220 Out of state: $37,827	In state: $23,716 Out of state: $37,150
Average net price	$12,735	$15,682
Tuition	In state: $4,242 Out of state: $19,849	In state: $3,812 Out of state: $17,246
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,595 Meal plan: $4,086	Room/dormitory: $7,322 Meal plan: $4,420
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Other alternative tuition plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $7,652	61.0% Average amount $7,807
Students receiving federal student loan	45.0% Average amount $5,054	49.0% Average amount $5,311
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $12,285	7.0% Average amount $14,942

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,555 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%	24,116 Men 52.5% Women 47.5%
Graduate students	2,086 Men 29.6% Women 70.4%	6,332 Men 39.4% Women 60.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	10.5%	8.8%
International students	0.5%	5.7%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,971	5,983
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina South Carolina Virginia Georgia Florida	North Carolina South Carolina Virginia New York New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Visual & Performing Arts Public Administration and Social Service	Education Engineering Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	72.7%	65.7%
Dropout rate	7.6%	8.6%
Transferred out	18.3%	23.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,824 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $79,392 Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $70,638 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,462 Year 2: $54,382 Year 3: $67,337 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,036 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $65,634 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,587 Year 2: $49,084 Year 3: $63,376 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,322 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $60,614 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,088 Year 2: $44,989 Year 3: $59,659 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,199 Year 2: $54,296 Year 3: $59,624 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,623 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $58,316 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,799 Year 2: $54,635 Year 3: $57,400	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,028 Year 2: $123,527 Year 3: $120,396 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,492 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $90,016 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $88,922 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $88,416 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,378 Year 2: $70,829 Year 3: $79,712 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $74,196 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,022 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $73,734 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,160 Year 2: $63,898 Year 3: $73,656 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,433 Year 2: $60,920 Year 3: $72,989 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,034 Year 2: $60,335 Year 3: $70,327 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,768 Year 2: $62,666 Year 3: $69,749

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State University?

UNC Charlotte is a large, urban research university located in North Carolina's largest city, offering a wide range of programs with a strong focus on technology, engineering, and business. Appalachian State University is a mid-sized, primarily undergraduate-focused university nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its strong programs in education, music, and outdoor recreation.
Which university is located in a more urban environment?

UNC Charlotte is situated in the University City area of Charlotte, a major metropolitan hub. This provides students with access to numerous internships, job opportunities, and cultural experiences. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, a smaller mountain town, offering a more close-knit community and access to outdoor activities.
How do the campus cultures differ between UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State?

UNC Charlotte's campus culture is more diverse and reflects the urban environment, with a focus on career preparation and innovation. Appalachian State's campus culture is known for its strong sense of community, emphasis on sustainability, and appreciation for the outdoors.
Which university is better known for specific academic programs?

UNC Charlotte excels in STEM fields, particularly engineering, computer science, and architecture, as well as business and health-related programs. Appalachian State is highly regarded for its teacher education programs, music programs (especially music therapy), and programs related to outdoor recreation and sustainable development.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

UNC Charlotte, being a larger university, generally has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 18:1. Appalachian State has a slightly lower student-to-faculty ratio, around 16:1, and generally smaller class sizes, particularly in upper-level courses.
How do the costs of attending UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State compare?

Tuition and fees are generally comparable for in-state students at both universities. However, the overall cost of living might be slightly higher in Charlotte due to its urban location. Out-of-state tuition is also similar between the two institutions. Be sure to check the latest figures on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
What types of extracurricular activities and student organizations are available at each university?

UNC Charlotte offers a vast array of student organizations, reflecting its diverse student body and urban location. You'll find clubs related to academics, culture, sports, and special interests. Appalachian State also has a wide range of clubs and organizations, with a particular emphasis on outdoor recreation, sustainability, and community service.
Which university offers more opportunities for research?

UNC Charlotte, as a research university, provides more extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, particularly in STEM fields. Appalachian State also offers research opportunities, especially within specific departments and through undergraduate research programs.
How do the athletic programs compare between UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State?

UNC Charlotte's athletic teams, the 49ers, compete in Conference USA. Appalachian State's athletic teams, the Mountaineers, compete in the Sun Belt Conference. Both universities offer a variety of NCAA Division I sports, but Appalachian State has a particularly strong football program.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from UNC Charlotte versus Appalachian State?

UNC Charlotte graduates benefit from the university's location in a major business hub, providing access to a wide range of job opportunities in finance, technology, and healthcare. Appalachian State graduates are well-prepared for careers in education, music, outdoor recreation, and sustainable development, often finding opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.
Which school is better for students interested in outdoor activities?

Appalachian State University is the clear choice for students passionate about outdoor activities. Its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains provides immediate access to hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, and other outdoor pursuits. While UNC Charlotte offers outdoor recreation programs, the opportunities are not as readily accessible as they are at Appalachian State.
How does the housing situation differ between the two universities?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. UNC Charlotte also has a significant number of students who live off-campus due to its urban location. Appalachian State has a higher percentage of students living on campus, fostering a stronger sense of community within the residence halls.

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