At $23,393/yr net price, Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates earn $45,543/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,543/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,393 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,572 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,543/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,543/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,289/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,427/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,065/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,754/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,067/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $66,236 | $72,210 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $48,849 | $30,164 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $48,265 | $21,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $42,235 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $37,928 | $20,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $29,374 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
51.0% of students at Lenoir-Rhyne University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lenoir-Rhyne University runs a mixed financial picture that leans risky. You pay a real net price, and the median graduate earns about $45,500 ten years out, which barely clears the debt you're likely to carry. With a 51% graduation rate and a 71% retention rate, roughly one in three of you who start won't finish, and that's the biggest threat to your return here: paying for years without the degree that justifies the cost.
Nursing is the program that pays off. Its graduates earn close to $48,300 while carrying lower debt than the campus median, so if you're set on a nursing career in the Hickory region's hospital and clinic network, the math works in your favor. Health and Physical Education/Fitness is the opposite. It pays around $29,400, well under the median wage, and its graduates leave with higher debt than nursing grads. That combination puts you underwater, and you should think hard before borrowing for it.
The net price tiers hold a warning for middle-income families. If your family earns $75,000 to $110,000, you pay more than families earning under $30,000, and if you're over $110,000 you pay the most of any group. Lower-income families get a modest discount by comparison, but nobody here attends cheaply.
This school fits you if you're heading into nursing and can finish in four years. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to lower-paying majors like physical education, or if you're a middle-income family stretching to cover a net price that outpaces the earnings most graduates see. The degree that pays for itself here is narrow, and everything outside it carries real financial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lenoir-Rhyne University worth the cost?
Lenoir-Rhyne's value depends heavily on your major, with rehabilitation programs offering strong returns at $66,236 median earnings but education majors earning just $37,928. The $26,000 median debt load is manageable, but the 51% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Lenoir-Rhyne University?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions lead at $66,236 median earnings, followed by business at $48,849 and nursing at $48,265. Education majors earn significantly less at $37,928, which may make the debt harder to repay.
How much debt do Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is reasonable compared to many private colleges. However, with 10-year earnings averaging $45,543, graduates will need to budget carefully for loan payments.
What is the graduation rate at Lenoir-Rhyne University?
Only 51% of students graduate from Lenoir-Rhyne, meaning nearly half leave without a degree but may still have student loans. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor when considering the investment.