The whole town of Boone is rockin’ for App State football. I think it is probably the best football atmosphere in NC, so if in-state ends up the best choice for whatever reason and State doesn’t come through I think App will have more of the sporty atmosphere you said she likes. Of course, you’ve got the beach at UNC-W, so if she is more of a beach person over mountains that might sway her.
I don’t know that much about 'Bama or Auburn to rank them with the others. I think I would rank the in-state options as NC State, App State, UNC-W, but App and UNC-W are close.