The Appalachian Network is key to student success. Regular events like Business Connections help provide the foundation for long-lasting relationships within the Walker College network that connect students to jobs. With thousands of alumni launching new business careers each year, Appalachian is a force of positive change in our communities and in our world. The Walker College’s first destination rates are consistently higher than the national average. Much of this success is due to career-focused programming, internship and job placement support from Business Career Services in our BB&T Student Leadership Center, the strength of our network and the innovative curriculum our faculty develop and deliver. It’s all part of the Walker Experience. Today, Appalachian business graduates are employed at a higher-than-average rate. Survey measures are taken between commencement and six months after graduation. The most recent data pertains to the class of 2018.
First Destination Rates
Ninety three percent of 2019 graduates had successfully reached their first destination by six months after graduation, including those who are attending graduate school and who are involved in non-career related pursuits such as world travel.
Geographic Destinations
The top full-time destinations were Charlotte (30%), Boone/Hickory (13%) and Raleigh (16%).
Employing Organizations
The top reported hiring organization was Bank of America, followed by BB&T, Cisco, Deloitte, Disney, Enterprise, Lowe's Companies, National General, PWC, Red Ventures, TTI and Wells Fargo.
Average salaries
The 75 percent who reported full-time employment had an average base salary of $48,217. Graduates with a BSBA in supply chain management reported the highest base rate ($56,000), followed by graduates with a BSBA in accounting ($53,273), economics ($53,125) and computer information systems ($53,036).
Previous Year's Data
An invitation to alumni
Engage with Appalachian students! Developing your network and connections with others is key at every life stage. Opportunities to return to campus include Spring Connect, the Boyles Lecture and the Global Opportunities Conference in the spring, and Business Connections, Business for Good and the Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit each fall. Help us strengthen our network and provide outstanding opportunities to our students and graduates.
A force in North Carolina
With 3,000+ undergraduates — the highest enrollment of any business school in the UNC System — the impact of Appalachian’s alumni base on North Carolina industry is significant. Seventy nine percent of the recently surveyed graduates elected to work full-time in the state of North Carolina. More than 19,000 of the college’s 25,285 alumni live in North Carolina. South Carolina has the next largest population, with 1,130 Walker College alumni residents.
Compiled by staff at in the BB&T Student Leadership Center, first destination statistics report employment rates, salaries and additional information regarding undergraduates six months post-graduation. Those not at their first destination are still seeking full-time employment, but may have accepted part-time employment or a temporary, full-time job.