The Catholic University of America vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 2,256 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Lenoir-Rhyne University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lenoir Rhyne University than The Catholic University of America ($21,546 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 26.4% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($13,400 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 83% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $26,478 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $26,478 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at The Catholic University of America (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 81.8% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($42,657 vs. $23,467).

The Catholic University of America vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Lenoir-Rhyne University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lenoir-Rhyne University and The Catholic University of America.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than The Catholic University of America (82.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

The Catholic University of America vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Lenoir-Rhyne University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $894 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($26,106 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($269 vs. $279).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lenoir-Rhyne University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.