BOONE, N.C.—Appalachian State University has received high honors in the 2018 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings for its academics, value, innovation and other factors. Appalachian has placed among the top 15 public and private southern universities since the rankings were first published in 1986.

Appalachian placed third among southern universities in the Top Public Regional Universities category, fifth among southern universities in the Best Colleges for Veterans category and ninth in the Best Regional Universities of the South category.

“We are proud to have enjoyed top rankings with U.S. News in a variety of categories over the course of more than 30 yearly assessments,” Chancellor Sheri N. Everts said.

“We have routinely ranked high for value, a point of pride for us, particularly as we strive to make education more accessible to students in every economic bracket. This year’s recognition as a veteran-friendly university and as among the most innovative in southern regional universities speaks to special initiatives as defined in our strategic plan. We are very pleased to see them recognized.”

In other U.S. News & World Report honors, Appalachian ranked:

• 2nd in the “Best Undergraduate Teaching” category among southern regional universities
• 3rd in the Most Innovative Schools category among southern regional universities, in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities
• 11th in the “Best Value Schools” category for southern regional universities

Appalachian also placed among the top 25 southern regional schools for “A+ Schools for B Students,” which were not ranked. The university also was among 29 “Academic Programs to Look For” for the first-year experience it offers students, one of only 15 public institutions in this category. These schools also were not ranked.

The information presented in the 2018 Best Colleges rankings and directory was collected during spring and summer 2017 via the U.S. News annual statistical survey of colleges.

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, cost-effective education. 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.

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