Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, NC · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 84.6%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 6,299
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 5,082
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 377
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 7.4%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 80%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 82%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- —
- SAT math, middle 50%
- —
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- —
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- — / —
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- not considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- considered
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $44,621
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $31,900
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $31,900
- Median debt at graduation
- $26,000
- Students with federal loans
- 56%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 48%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 76%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $40,155
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $45,543
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,359
- Graduate students
- 784
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 15 : 1
- Women
- 53%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 39%
- Full-time faculty
- 100%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Frederick K. Whitt
- Main phone
- (828) 328-1741
- Address
- 625 7th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601
How to apply (2026–27)
Rolling admission: applications are reviewed as they arrive.
- Apply with
- Common App, Own application
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
Testing: ACT/SAT not required for admission
Financial aid policies
- Tuition-Free Guarantee from fall 2026: NC/SC students with AGI $100,000 or less, no loans
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: lr.edu, lr.edu, lr.edu, lr.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.