Passion and
Purpose Defined

We don’t just offer a world-class education—we offer a community of passionate learners to lift you up and inspire you to become your best self.

Lenoir-Rhyne University Homepage

What kind of student are you?

Named a U.S. News Top 40 School for Social Mobility and Best Value in the South.

97%


Employed or in Grad School

within six months of graduation.

Demarius Hampton, Kyle Duggar and Dr. Doug Knight

LR taught us to use our time wisely and has provided me with a ‘keep moving forward' mentality. And Dr. Knight has always helped show us what we could be.

Demarius Hampton '19, Engineering Physics

$30M


Financial aid awarded to students annually

Making college accessible & affordable.

Hickory Campus


Our picturesque campus serves as the backdrop of our students’ diverse and shared experiences. Our students are leaders, researchers and champions. LR Bears are the heart of this small-college town, and the City of Hickory fosters a thriving community for our students.

Explore Our Hickory Campus

News & Events


See who's making news and what's happening at LR.

Randy Isenhour, director of public safety

Director of Public Safety Randy Isenhour joined LR in fall 2024 after decades with the Hickory Police Department. He reflects on his career and shares his hopes and advice for a safer campus.

View More
Normandy Bryant presents a liturgical dance during the 2024 MLK Celebration

Campus and community will once again join to celebrate the legacy of the Civil Rights icon and continue his work through spiritual and public service.

View More

Earn a graduate degree on your terms with learning that fits your life.

20+


Graduate Programs

With expert faculty focused on your success.

Hailey Venable

I gained essential hands-on experience during my occupational therapy internships, which helped prepare me for providing acute inpatient rehabilitation as an occupational therapist.

Hailey Venable MS'18

900+


Graduate Students

Three graduate campus locations in two states

Hickory, Asheville & Columbia


Whether it’s reinventing your career, advancing your professional skills or elevating your business, our three locations offer quality academic programs paired with hands-on learning opportunities in cities filled with cultural and civic opportunities.

View Our Locations

News & Events

Randy Isenhour, director of public safety

Director of Public Safety Randy Isenhour joined LR in fall 2024 after decades with the Hickory Police Department. He reflects on his career and shares his hopes and advice for a safer campus.

View More
Normandy Bryant presents a liturgical dance during the 2024 MLK Celebration

Campus and community will once again join to celebrate the legacy of the Civil Rights icon and continue his work through spiritual and public service.

View More

We shape the entire person for faithful service to the church and to the world.

ELCA


Only ELCA seminary in the southeastern U.S.

Live your faith through public ministry.

Joshua Wullenweber

LTSS is beautifully diverse and made up of students of every age, race, gender and orientation. I was so thankful to find a great community of faith and learning so close to where I grew up.

Joshua Wullenweber MDiv’20

100%


Faculty who have doctoral degrees

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary


As soon as you arrive at LTSS in beautiful Hickory, North Carolina, you’ll experience what it means to be surrounded by caring and passionate professors and a community atmosphere that is both captivating and supportive.

Learn About LTSS

News & Events

A line of seminary faculty greets and serves communion to a line of LR students and faculty in Grace Chapel

In the first chapel service of 2025, Lenoir-Rhyne celebrated the long-awaited arrival of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary to the Hickory Campus.

View More
In front of red backdrop with LR logo visible, two female students hold out Bears Say Thanks stickers to foreground

Lenoir-Rhyne celebrates the success of Giving Tuesday, an annual global giving movement for the causes and organizations we care most about.

View More