APP STATE Online: Flight Path Programs
Tuition & Financial Aid
How much does App State cost to attend? Less than you might think.
Appalachian State tuition is built around a simple idea: A degree here shouldn’t come with a mountain of debt attached. Nearly one in four App State students graduate owing nothing at all, and the university carries one of the four lowest average student debt totals among North Carolina’s public and private four-year schools. And our degrees pay off, too: 89% of undergraduates report being employed or continuing their education within six months of finishing their degree.
App State Online Tuition & Fees
The number of accepted transfer credits you bring will impact the number of required courses for graduation.
Accounting, BSBA
In-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$424
Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$509
Additional Fees (per credit hour)
$25.50
Criminal Justice, BS
In-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$398
Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$478
Additional Fees (per credit hour)
$25.50
Health Care Management, BS
In-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$424
Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$509
Additional Fees (per credit hour)
$25.50
Marketing, BSBA
In-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$424
Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$509
Additional Fees (per credit hour)
$25.50
Organizational Leadership & Learning, BS
In-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$398
Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$478
Additional Fees (per credit hour)
$25.50
Supply Chain Management, BSBA
In-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$424
Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour)
$509
Additional Fees (per credit hour)
$25.50
Please note tuition is subject to change, and these figures do not include any outside expenses you may incur.
Tuition for North Carolina Residents
To qualify for in-state tuition rates, North Carolina residents must first confirm their in-state status by completing an application through the Residency Determination Service (RDS). To learn more about how to apply for NC residency, please refer to the North Carolina Residency page.
Paying for Your Degree
Financing your education can feel complicated, but we’re here to help every step of the way. Our dedicated advisors and staff are available to answer your questions and help you get the aid you deserve.
Most financial aid decisions trace back to this one form, the FAFSA. It takes just fifteen minutes to fill out and opens the door to grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. The earlier it’s submitted, the more of that door stays open.
Who should complete it?
If there’s any chance you’d accept federal, state or school aid, fill it out. Grants and work-study funds get allocated on a rolling basis, so waiting costs real money, not just time.
An application specialist can walk through your specific situation if you’re not sure where you land.
What do I need?
“For years, I thought going back to school wouldn’t be financially possible. I couldn’t imagine how I could pursue a degree without working full time to support myself. When this program was announced, I felt it was made just for me.”
Pam N.
Health Care Management, Class of 2024
Scholarships and grants can help cover tuition, fees and other education costs without adding to what you owe later. Start with the opportunities available through App State, then explore additional funding from organizations in your community and beyond.
$25M in App State Scholarships Awarded Each Year
Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer and continuing students, including Flight Path students. Many are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement or other eligibility criteria, and the Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP) helps identify the opportunities you may qualify for.
- Transfer students: apply by February 1 for priority scholarship consideration
- Continuing students: submit an ASAP application each year within specified deadlines to be matched with scholarships
$5M in Outside Aid Awarded Each Year
App State students also receive millions in scholarships from employers, civic groups, community foundations and professional organizations. Our Student Financial Aid Office can help you find opportunities worth exploring beyond the university.
- Next NC Scholarship: state-funded aid for North Carolina residents with household income at or below $80,000, worth at least $5,000 a year at any UNC System school, including App State. Your FAFSA is the only application needed.
- College Foundation of North Carolina, Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the BigFuture Scholarship Search are also worth exploring, all linked from our outside scholarships page.
Find Your Way Forward
You don’t have to figure out how to pay for college on your own. Talk with an App State admissions representative to learn more about your options, your eligibility and the next step toward your degree.
Federal student aid can help make your degree more affordable. Your FAFSA and enrollment status determine the types and amount of aid you may be eligible to receive, including grants, work-study and federal student loans.
Federal Loans
Federal Direct Loans can help eligible students cover tuition, fees and other education costs. Depending on the type of loan, interest may begin accruing while you’re enrolled, and federal repayment options can help you manage your payments after graduation.
Federal Grants
Federal Grants, including the Federal Pell Grant, can help cover tuition and other costs without needing to be repaid. Eligibility is based on your FAFSA and is limited to students who haven’t already earned a bachelor’s degree, so check with our financial aid team to see what you may qualify for.
We work with service members, veterans and their families to help you understand and use every education benefit you’ve earned. Here’s what’s available, and how each one works.
VA Education Benefits
We accept all six major VA education benefit programs: the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill® (Active Duty), Montgomery GI Bill® (Selected Reserve), Veteran Readiness & Employment, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance, and the Fry Scholarship.
Recognized for Supporting Military Students
App State has held Military Friendly® School designation since 2010, most recently earning back-to-back Top 10 recognition, and has been named to Military Times’ “Best for Vets” list since 2018. We also hold a separate Military Spouse Friendly School designation.
Yellow Ribbon Program
App State doesn’t participate in Yellow Ribbon, and here’s why that’s less of a gap than it sounds. Most Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients already receive full tuition coverage at the in-state rate, and our own in-state tuition eligibility closes most of what’s left for out-of-state students. For most military-connected students, Yellow Ribbon simply isn’t the resource here that it is at some other schools.
Credit for Military Training
Before you apply, use the UNC System’s Military Equivalency System to see how your Joint Services Transcript maps to App State coursework. Credit most often applies toward physical education, military science and leadership, and health-science coursework. Talk with Transfer Services before you register, so your credit is applied correctly from the start.
Tuition Assistance (TA)
Active-duty service members can use federal Tuition Assistance under an active agreement between App State and the Department of Defense, in place through July 2029. TA is a reimbursement benefit: you pay tuition, then get reimbursed, up to the federal cap of $250 per credit hour and $4,500 per fiscal year.
Outside Scholarships
- Warrior Fund
- Meinhardt Scholarship
- Ross Scholarship
- Ashley Scholarship
- Corso Scholarship
More ways to make your degree work for you.
Financial aid is only part of the picture. Depending on your circumstances, employer benefits, payment plans, workforce programs and tax benefits may help make your education more manageable.
Other Options Include:
Nothing Standing in Your Way
When you decide you’re ready to go back to school, everything should align to ensure you have the most direct path possible. That’s why we offer five term starts per year, more than most universities, so timing never has to be an obstacle.
Fall Term 1
August
Fall Term 2
October
Spring Term 1
January
Spring Term 2
March
Summer Term
June
Frequently Asked Questions
For many students, starting at a local community college can be a lower-cost way to complete college coursework before transferring to a four-year university. The North Carolina transfer pathway can also provide a clear route from a community college to a bachelor’s degree at an eligible UNC System university.
Find a clear path forward with an education grounded in connection and support.
You’ve already made progress. Let’s build on it.
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll help you find the App State program and path that can get you there. Filling out a quick form connects you with an admissions representative who will answer your questions, review your options and help you chart the best path to your degree.
“I know you’re balancing a lot. My job is to help you figure out the school part without adding to it.”
Sarah M.
Admissions Representative
“When you call, you’re getting a real person. I’m here to answer your questions and help you figure out what comes next.”
Lalanda M.
Admissions Representative
“You don’t have to put your whole life on pause to go back to school. Let’s talk through what could work for you.”
Alex E.
Admissions Representative