Locations

Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with 45+ undergraduate degree programs and 20+ graduate degree programs.

LR enrolls more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students. LR’s main campus is in Hickory, North Carolina, where both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered.

The university also offers graduate degree programs online and at locations in Asheville, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina.

LR is affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds.

One University, Multiple Locations

Discover our campuses, visit or connect with us and see for yourself all that LR has to offer.

Two students take a selfie at end of commencement ceremony

2,300⁺

Student enrollment across locations

Professor delivers lecture in front of class

$30M

Financial aid awarded to students annually

Three students in classroom listening to professor lecture

Two counseling students working on assignment in class

Students works with table-based tablet in classroom

News & Events

Joe Shumate, with Kathleen Tucker in the sidecar, rides a red Honda Gold Wing in the 2025 Homecoming Parade

Faith, Family and the Open Road

At the 2025 Homecoming parade, cheers followed a motorcycle and sidecar as the Rev. Joe Shumate ’51, M.Div. ’54, and sister Kathleen Tucker ’51 returned to LR on their latest adventure.

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

Loyal Bears: 42 years of giving

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

November 08 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Undergraduate Open House

November 13 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM / Cromer Center

Etiquette and Networking Dinner