Appalachian State University is the sixth-largest university in the system of the University of North Carolina. Appalachian (locally pronounced app-uh-latch-an) is located in Boone, North Carolina, in the mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Appalachian State has been ranked among the top 15 Southern colleges and universities since the U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges Guide" began publication in 1986.

Appalachian State University began as Watauga Academy in 1899, evolved into the Appalachian Training School for Teachers, Appalachian State Teacher's College, and finally Appalachian State University in 1967.

Boone supports a population of 14,900, compared to a total A.S.U. enrollment of 14,050 students (2002-2003). The campus encompasses 340 acres (1.4 km²), including a main campus of 250 acres (1 km²).

The University offers 95 undergraduate majors and 81 graduate majors. Appalachian's sports teams are nicknamed the Mountaineers, and the university operates 20 intercollegiate athletics programs.