Fast Facts

Students walking along campus sidewalk with LR red banners on light posts

Lenoir-Rhyne is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

University Information

Founded in 1891 by four Lutheran pastors
Three locations: Hickory, N.C.; Asheville, N.C.; Columbia, S.C.
Motto: Veritas vos Liberabit (the truth shall set you free)
Alma mater: “Fair Star of Caroline”
Mission, vision and values

More About Lenoir-Rhyne

Student Body

2,230+ students
1,477 undergraduate (on-campus in Hickory, N.C.)
753 graduate (on-campus and online)
Student distribution: 39 states/territories; 75 North Carolina counties; 29 countries
$30+ million awarded in scholarships and financial aid annually
$200,000+ in study abroad scholarships for LR students
17,643+ living alumni (undergraduate and graduate degree holders) from all 50 states and many countries around the globe

Students looking over an assignment on a computer

Health students diagnose symptoms on a simulation

Turn Passion into Purpose

At Lenoir-Rhyne, you’ll explore meaningful programs that challenge you, support your goals and prepare you for a fulfilling career and life of purpose.

In the Classroom

Majors Offered: 45+
Minors: 53
Graduate Programs: 20
Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1
Average class size: 22
Faculty: 127 full time; more than 80% hold terminal degrees

Explore Our Academic Programs

LR football celebrates in end zone after scoring in Moretz Stadium

Former LR star Kyle Dugger running with the football

Go Bears!

LR's passionate fan base supports a number of championship-caliber intercollegiate athletic programs that compete as a member of the NCAA and South Atlantic Conference.

Athletics

Mascot: Joe Bear
Conferences: South Atlantic Conference
Affiliation: NCAA Division II
Teams: 23

Lenoir-Rhyne is supporting my education in community health by allowing me to be enrolled in various classes with ranging topics, which allows me to grasp better what community health is as a whole.

Carolina Allen '23

Financial Aid & Admissions

Demmi Ramos and Christina Fisher eating lunch in a hallway at NCAS meeting.

A natural match in friendship and ambition

They’ve led research teams, earned national honors and represented LR’s science programs with distinction. But Christina Fisher and Demmi Ramos also built something less visible and just as lasting—a friendship rooted in trust, support and shared challenges.

Joe Bear poses in front of the Bear Grove Big Chair and a welcome sign

Bear Grove turns campus quad into a vibrant outdoor hub

With picnic tables, hammocks and a giant Adirondack chair the quad has leveled up to become Bear Grove—LR’s new favorite hangout spot.