• Announcing the Lenoir-Rhyne Tuition-Free Guarantee

    Lenoir-Rhyne announces tuition-free guarantee for North and South Carolina students
    With the Lenoir-Rhyne Tuition-Free Guarantee, tuition will never stand in the way of your dreams. Starting in fall 2026, eligible students from North and South Carolina can earn a world-class education tuition-free—powered by scholarships and grants, not loans.

    View the Lenoir-Rhyne Guarantee

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
Alana Bridges

One of the benefits of being at a small college is that I know all my professors, and not only do they help me in their classes, but they also support me in other classes.

Alana Bridges '23, Music
Mickey Payseur and Madeleine Dassow place the presidential medallion on Summer McGee

Faculty, students, alumni and community members gathered as Lenoir-Rhyne celebrated the inauguration of its 13th president, marking a bright vision for the future.

View More
The Charge statue next to a Lenoir Rhyne Banner and Cromer Center in the background

For decades, 29 families have shown unwavering devotion to Lenoir-Rhyne, giving year after year to support future generations of Bears.

View More