• University Operations Update

    Return to Normal Operations - Tuesday, Feb. 3

    Lenoir-Rhyne will return to normal, in-person operations beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3, at all campus locations — Hickory, Asheville and Columbia.

    • Road conditions: We recognize that road conditions may remain hazardous in some areas and that travel may still be challenging.
    • Students: Those unable to travel safely to campus should communicate directly with their instructors to discuss absences.
    • Faculty and staff: Those unable to travel safely to campus should communicate directly with their supervisor to discuss appropriate arrangements.
    • Your safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your continued communication and flexibility as we transition back to normal operations.
    • The university community is also invited to join President McGee for a Welcome Back Warm-Up on Tuesday from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in the Cromer Center on the Hickory campus. Stop by to enjoy donuts, coffee and hot chocolate as we reconnect and welcome one another back to campus.

    Operation Updates

Graduate School Cost of Attendance


At Lenoir-Rhyne, we know that cost is a determining factor in obtaining your master’s degree.

If you estimate your cost of attendance, this provides a more realistic view of preparing for your graduate degree.

The Graduate School offers individual meetings with a financial aid counselor who can help you with the estimated cost of each term based on the number of classes and the length of the program and the overall cost.

Graduate Program & Tuition Costs


The information below provides an overview of tuition and associated fees. Additional details are available within each section.

  • 2026-2027 Program Costs & Tuition

    The fee amounts noted below for 2026-2027 are for tuition only and do not include fees, books, supplies or personal expenses. 

    • Business Administration, MBA
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $25,560
    • Business Administration, MBA / Leadership, M.A. (dual degree program)
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $31,950
    • Certificate Programs
      $690/credit hour
    • Counseling, M.A.
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $43,310
    • Creative Writing, MFA
      $690/credit hour; total tuition: $31,050
    • Exercise Science, M.S.
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,150
    • Human Services, M.A.
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,150
    • Leadership, M.A.
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $23,430
    • Narrative Health Care
      $690/credit hour
    • Nursing Practice, FNP/DNP & Post-Master's DNP
      $900/credit hour; $7,500 per semester (8 semesters)
    • Occupational Therapy, M.S.
      • $12,500/semester (4 semesters required)
      • $2,500 per summer term (2 summer terms required)
      • Total credit hours: 63
      • $873.02/credit hour
      • Total tuition: $55,000
    • Public Health, MPH
      $690/credit hour; total tuition: $28,980
    • Public Health (MPH) / Business Administration (MBA) (dual degree program)
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $40,470
    • Physician Assistant Studies***
      • $15,000/semester
      • Total semesters: 6
      • Total credit hours: 105
      • $857.14/credit hour
      • Total tuition: $90,000 (see PA Studies page for details)
    • Teaching, MAT
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,700

    Hickory Campus Fees

    • Graduate student general fee: $300/semester
    • Application fee: $35 (all graduate students)*
    • Replacement ID badge: $20
    • Transcript fee: $15
    • Parking permit fee - Hickory campus: $75

    Graduate Student Housing - Hickory

    • Double occupancy: $3,750/semester
    • Private room rate premium: $2,400/semester (subject to availability)
    • Graduate student housing rate - 12 month contract: $9,500**
      12-month contract - August 15-August 14
    • Replacement room key/lock: $210

    * Application fees waived for OT and PA students due to OTCAS / CASPA application fees not assessed by Lenoir-Rhyne
    ** 12-month contract option limited to Turk House, Ike Jr. House and University Apartments on 5th


    Seminary (LTSS)

    For seminary (LTSS) costs, please visit the Seminary Cost of Attendance section.


    *** Accreditation Status

    The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Lenoir-Rhyne University Master of Science in PA Studies sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University.

    Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

    Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

    The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-lenoir-rhyne-university.

  • 2025-2026 Program Costs & Tuition

    The fee amounts noted below for 2025-2026 are for tuition only and do not include fees, books, supplies or personal expenses. 

    Please note that graduate certificate programs are $690/credit hour.

    • Business Administration, MBA
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $25,560
    • Business Administration, MBA / Leadership, M.A. (dual degree program)
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $31,950
    • Counseling, M.A.
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $43,310
    • Creative Writing, MFA
      $690/credit hour; total tuition: $31,050
    • Criminal Justice Leadership, M.A. (phasing out)
      $690/credit hour
    • Dietetic Internship / Nutrition, M.S. (phasing out)
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $12,780
    • Exercise Science, M.S.
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,150
    • Human Services, M.A.
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,150
    • Leadership, M.A.
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $23,430
    • Narrative Health Care
      $690/credit hour
    • Nursing Practice, FNP/DNP & Post-Master's DNP
      $900/credit hour; $7,500 per semester (8 semesters)
    • Nursing Education (phasing out)
      $690/credit hour
    • Nursing Administration (phasing out)
      $690/credit hour
    • Occupational Therapy, M.S.
      • $12,500/semester (4 semesters required)
      • $2,500 per summer term (2 summer terms required)
      • Total credit hours: 63
      • $873.02/credit hour
      • Total tuition: $55,000
    • Public Health, MPH
      $690/credit hour; total tuition: $28,980
    • Public Health (MPH) / Business Administration (MBA) (dual degree program)
      $710/credit hour; total tuition: $40,470
    • Physician Assistant Studies**
      • $15,000/semester (program starts in spring 2026)
      • Total semesters: 6
      • Total credit hours: 105
      • $857.14/credit hour
      • Total tuition: $90,000 (see PA Studies page for details)
    • Sustainability Studies, M.S. (phasing out)
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,150
    • Teaching, MAT
      $550/credit hour; total tuition: $18,700

    Hickory Campus Fees

    • Graduate Student General Fee: $300/semester
    • Application Fee: $35 (all graduate students)
    • Replacement ID/Key: $15
    • Transcript Fee: $15
    • Room Rate for Hickory Graduate Students: $3,400/semester

    Graduate Student Housing - Hickory

    • Double Occupancy: $3,500/semester
    • Private Room Rate Premium: $2,300/semester
    • Replacement Room Key/Lock: $200

    Seminary (LTSS)

    For seminary (LTSS) costs, please visit the Seminary Cost of Attendance section.


    ** Accreditation Status

    The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Lenoir-Rhyne University Master of Science in PA Studies sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University.

    Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

    Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

    The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-lenoir-rhyne-university.

  • Estimated Total Cost of Attendance

    In compliance with the Department of Education, indirect costs, including books, transportation and miscellaneous expenses, are added to tuition, fees, food and housing to determine Lenoir-Rhyne University’s official total cost of attendance. The average cost of attendance for MBA, Counseling, Nutrition, Dietetic Internship/Other graduate programs for 2024-25 is $35170. The average cost of attendance for MS/DNP graduate programs for 2024-25 is $33,610. The average cost of attendance for MAT/Human Services/Sustainability Studies/ Exercise Science for 2024-25 is $31,810. The average cost of attendance includes estimated books and other course materials of $1360 for the programs above. 

    The average cost of attendance for Occupational Therapy programs for 2024-25 is $44,350. The average cost of attendance for Physician Assistant programs is $49,350. The average cost of attendance includes estimated books and other course materials of $1,700 for the programs above.

    Total actual costs per student may vary depending upon program type and food and housing selections. Aggregate financial aid may not exceed the student’s calculated cost of attendance.

    Federal regulations allow limited exceptions or adjustments to information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Such exceptions or adjustments, known as Special Circumstances or Professional Judgment, are considered on a case-by-case basis based on supporting documentation of your circumstances.

Teena Brooks

My internship experience at local non-profits provided valuable hands-on experience and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Teena Brooks, LCMHC, BC-TMH