LR at a Glance

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

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

Athletics


  • Mascot: Joe Bear
  • Conferences: South Atlantic Conference
  • Affiliation: NCAA Division II
  • Teams: 23
Explore Bears Sports
Yer Vang, Chase Griffin and Lupita Sanchez Rojas

I interned for the Capital Area Immigration Rights Coalition. Working at CAIR changed me in many ways. It made me rethink and change my career goals and post-graduation plans.

Lupita Sanchez Rojas '20, Sociology
Alyssa Sack with her daughter Abigail as an infant

Alyssa Sack ’20, M.S. ’22, balanced lacrosse, academics, and motherhood with grace. Her memory now supports occupational therapy students through a new scholarship.

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The full class of 2026 Tri-Alpha inductees at the front of Grace Chapel

The Kappa Eta chapter of the national honor society for first-generation college students celebrated its second induction, honoring members who show resilience, leadership and excellence.

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