Columbus State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Lenoir Rhyne University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State or Lenoir-Rhyne University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbus State University vs. Lenoir Rhyne University comparison
Columbus State University Lenoir Rhyne University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University Lenoir Rhyne University
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Overview

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
Location Columbus, GA Hickory, NC
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 7,479 2,354
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #995
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu lr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $43,000
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $43,000
Room & Board $12,080 $12,900
Avg Net Price $12,902 $21,843
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $35,641
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 5,452
Admitted 3,398 4,519
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 82.9%
Enrolled % 30.4% 8.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.41
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23
SAT Range 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
Graduation Rate 31% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 69%
% Black 37% 15%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
% In-State 92% 69%
% Out-of-State 5% 28%

Campus

Columbus State Lenoir-Rhyne University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 2,354 students)

Columbus State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Lenoir-Rhyne University?

  • Lenoir Rhyne University is 883.8% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($43,000.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 178.8% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than Columbus State University ($43,000.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Lenoir-Rhyne University ($12,902 vs. $21,843)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 6.8% lower than costs at Lenoir Rhyne University ($12,080 vs. $12,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than Columbus State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 289.6% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($35,641 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Lenoir-Rhyne University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lenoir-Rhyne University or Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Lenoir Rhyne University (990) is 29 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Accepted freshman Lenoir-Rhyne University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Lenoir-Rhyne University (82.9%)

Columbus State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State or Lenoir-Rhyne University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lenoir-Rhyne University and Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Lenoir-Rhyne University is higher than Columbus State University (47% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/