BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University announces a landmark enrollment of 20,641 students in fall 2021 — the largest enrollment to date — which includes historic numbers of first-year and underrepresented students. The 3.1% increase in overall enrollment supports the university’s continued slow and steady growth since 2014.
“Our steady increases in the enrollment of underrepresented and transfer students reflect our university’s commitment to making higher education accessible for all students.”
App State Chancellor Sheri Everts
“The data speak directly to the dedication of our faculty and staff in supporting and encouraging future generations of Mountaineers,” said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts. “Our steady increases in the enrollment of underrepresented and transfer students reflect our university’s commitment to making higher education accessible for all students.”
She continued, “These enrollment successes are particularly meaningful since they were accomplished amid the immense challenges presented by a global pandemic.”
First-year enrollment growth breaks records
App State has a total of 4,099 first-year students, marking the first time the university has enrolled more than 4,000 first-year students. Of note, underrepresented students compose 19.1% of the total first-year population, or 784 students, an increase of 5.7% since 2020.
Underrepresented student enrollment reaches historic high
Everts continues to prioritize and support diversity and inclusion initiatives at App State, including the establishment of the Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team and the appointment of Jamie Parson as interim chief diversity officer following the retirement of Dr. Willie Fleming — App State’s first cabinet-level chief diversity officer, who was also hired by Everts.
App State reached its highest enrollment of underrepresented students to date — 18.2% of the total population, or 3,759 students, an increase of 6.3% since 2020.
Under Everts’ leadership, App State has increased its total underrepresented student population by 66% since 2014, and, in the same time period, it has more than doubled its first-year underrepresented enrollment — a 108% increase.
Enrollment from rural populations surpasses goals 3 years early
The university enrolls 5,865 in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students from rural populations. This constitutes 34.3% of that total population at App State.
As part of the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan, App State committed to increasing enrollment of students from rural populations. Of note, the university surpassed its fall 2021 benchmark set for rural student enrollment nearly three years early, in 2018.
“These enrollment successes are particularly meaningful since they were accomplished amid the immense challenges presented by a global pandemic.”
App State Chancellor Sheri Everts
Undergraduate enrollment shows steady growth despite pandemic
Undergraduate enrollment has increased 2.7% since 2020, totaling 18,555 students.
First-generation students compose 32% of the total undergraduate population, with 5,939 students.
The university’s overall 2021 first- to second-year retention rate — a primary performance indicator for institutions across the country — remained steady at 86.2%, more than four percentage points above the national average.
Online enrollment up for second year, launching new online vet tech program in 2022
App State Online enrollment (undergraduate and graduate) has increased by 6.4% for a total of 1,610.
In fall 2022, App State will launch a new four-year online degree program for licensed veterinary technicians — a partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital®, the leading provider of preventive veterinary care in the U.S. and part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices. The program will address the market demand — particularly in rural communities — for skilled veterinary professionals.
The program is under review for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Online graduate enrollment highest since 2010
Graduate student enrollment is up 6.3% for a total of 2,086, and App State Online graduate enrollment exceeded 1,000 students for the first time since 2010.
Transfer student population grows by nearly 5%
Under Everts’ leadership, App State has expanded and strengthened relationships with eight community colleges in Western North Carolina to provide a seamless pathway for students to complete degrees at App State through the Aspire Appalachian Co-Admission Program.
This fall, new transfer students total 1,524, an increase of 4.5% from 2020.
Improvements continue on campus infrastructure
To complement and support its enrollment growth, App State continues to enhance its physical infrastructure. In July, the university opened the third of four new residence halls, and in spring 2021 App State re-opened the renovated Sanford Hall — an academic building in which almost every undergraduate Mountaineer has a class during their college career. More information can be found on the Appalachian’s Future website.
All numbers reported reflect App State’s fall 2021 census data as of Aug. 27. The University of North Carolina System Office determines the census date to be the 10th day of each fall and spring semester, by which all students should be registered for all of their courses for the semester.
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Fall 2021 enrollment data
- 20,641 total enrollment (3.1% increase since 2020).
- 4,099 new first-year students (4.9% increase since 2020).
- 1,524 new transfer students (4.5% increase since 2020).
- 5,865 in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate students from rural populations (34.3% of the total in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate population).
- 5,939 first-generation undergraduate students (32% of the total undergraduate population).
- 18.2% total underrepresented students (6.3% increase since 2020).
- 66% growth in underrepresented students (since 2014).
- 108% growth in first-year underrepresented students (since 2014).
Behind the data
Have you ever wondered what parameters App State uses to define certain groups? Below are the definitions used by the university’s Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning to collect current and historic data, including for the fall 2021 census day.
- Underrepresented student
Student who self-identifies as Hispanic of any race; American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Two or more races; or Foreign National. - Student from a rural population
An in-state, degree-seeking undergraduate student from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, as designated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The determining factors for assigning a tier designation to each county are average unemployment rate, median household income, percentage growth in population and adjusted property tax base per capita. - First-generation student
A student is considered “first-generation” if neither parent has completed a bachelor’s degree.
App State enrollment reaches 20,023, breaks records for underrepresented students
Aug. 28, 2020
App State releases fall 2020 data showing record enrollment of 20,023 students and significant increases of first-year underrepresented students.
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About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
