LR at a Glance

Fast Facts


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


  • 2,686+ students
  • 1,783 undergraduate (on-campus in Hickory, N.C.)
  • 903 graduate (on-campus and online)
  • Student distribution: 40 states/territories; 77 North Carolina counties; 31 countries
  • $30+ million awarded in scholarships and financial aid annually
  • $100,000+ 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

In the Classroom


  • Majors Offered: 50
  • Minors: 53
  • Graduate Programs: 20
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1
  • Average class size: 22
  • Faculty: 140 full time; 81% hold terminal degrees
Explore Our Academic Programs

Athletics


  • Mascot: Joe Bear
  • Conferences: South Atlantic Conference
  • Affiliation: NCAA Division II
  • Teams: 23
Explore Bears Sports
Yer Vang

One of the most important things that I’ve learned is that upperclassmen always say, 'once a Bear, always a Bear.' Now that I’ve been here a while, I truly believe that.

Yer Vang '20, Psychology
Students arrive in PE Monroe auditorium for the Student Life Awards

The revamped 2024 Student Life Awards gave students "A Night to Remember" with recognition and celebration of the joys of being a Bear.

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Josh Kenst

In November 2022, a routine email check put Josh Kenst, MTS ’23, on a path that led him to a year long global mission program in Senegal.

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