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Lenoir-Rhyne University

#1033 in US ranking Hickory, NC
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$45,587
Tuition & fees
$33,000
Avg. aid
$22,999
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
85%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
48%
Median salary
$45,805
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Lenoir-Rhyne University?

Lenoir-Rhyne University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, known as SACSCOC, to award degrees. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval of an individual professional program.

That distinction matters for students planning to become licensed nurses, teachers or other regulated professionals. They should verify their intended program's current accreditation and state approval, and check the rules in the state where they hope to work. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility, but it does not automatically guarantee that another college will accept a course in transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a license.

What are the admission requirements at Lenoir-Rhyne University?

First-year applicants generally apply with a secondary-school academic record, including a transcript and GPA. Lenoir-Rhyne is not an open-admission institution: its reported first-year admissions figures show 3,101 students admitted from 3,666 applicants, or about 85%.

In its 2024-25 admissions reporting, the university required the secondary-school record and GPA but neither required nor recommended SAT or ACT scores. School rank, recommendations and completion of a college-preparatory program were considered if available rather than required. Applicants educated outside the United States may need to document English proficiency; TOEFL appears among the institution's reported requirements.

Those general admissions indicators do not settle every applicant's checklist. Students should use the application instructions for their entry term to confirm transcript procedures, deadlines and any essay requirements. Admission to a program with clinical placements, auditions or other specialized preparation may involve a separate review.

What are the application fees and waivers at Lenoir-Rhyne University?

Lenoir-Rhyne's reported undergraduate application fee is $35. Applicants should check the fee shown in their current application before submitting it, since charges can differ by applicant category or application route.

A fee waiver, when offered, reduces the cost of applying; it is not the same as an enrollment deposit or a tuition discount. An applicant who needs a waiver should ask admissions about eligibility and how to request it before paying or submitting an application that requires payment. Graduate and seminary applicants should check their own program instructions rather than assume the undergraduate charge applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Lenoir-Rhyne University?

Prospective students should not assume that Lenoir-Rhyne operates an Army, Air Force or Navy ROTC unit on its Hickory campus. Anyone intending to combine enrollment at Lenoir-Rhyne with ROTC should confirm whether a current cross-enrollment arrangement exists for their branch and whether its training schedule is workable.

ROTC participation and ROTC scholarships are separate decisions. A host program can explain eligibility, how courses would fit an Lenoir-Rhyne degree, scholarship application procedures and any military service obligation before a student commits.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Lenoir-Rhyne University?

Transfer applicants should expect Lenoir-Rhyne to review their college coursework through a separate admissions and credit-evaluation process. Admission as a transfer student does not mean that every previously earned credit will satisfy a major, general-education requirement or graduation requirement.

Applicants should arrange official transcripts from every college attended and follow the transfer application instructions for their intended term. High school records may also be relevant, depending on prior college study and the program. Reported credit policies indicate that the university awards some credit for Advanced Placement examinations and accepts certain CLEP examinations and American Council on Education credit recommendations; the award and use of any credit remain subject to university rules.

For a useful evaluation, ask not only how many credits would transfer, but how each course would apply to the planned degree. Students entering a sequenced major, such as nursing or teacher education, should also confirm program admission, prerequisite and minimum-credit-at-Lenoir-Rhyne requirements before choosing a start date.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Lenoir-Rhyne University?

Study abroad may be an option for Lenoir-Rhyne students, but the useful question is which currently approved program fits a student's degree plan. Opportunities can differ in length, destination, academic credit and whether instruction is university-led or provided by a partner.

Students should seek academic approval before committing to an overseas program. They need to establish how courses will count toward their major, whether participation affects a clinical or student-teaching sequence, and what happens to institutional scholarships and federal aid. A short-term trip and a semester abroad can have substantially different total costs even when both carry academic credit.

Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions Factors

Acceptance rate
85%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
85%
North Carolina
75%
US
78%

11% of admitted students enrolled (341 of 3,101)

Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 3,666
Admission
Total: 3,101
Enrolled
Total: 341
Women
Men

How to Apply to Lenoir-Rhyne University

Application fee

$35

Early Action

Yes

Lenoir-Rhyne University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 235
Out-of-state: 100
International: 6

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 348
Transfer: 134

Lenoir-Rhyne University Admission Requirements

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Lenoir-Rhyne University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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