Dean College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

Dean College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Dean College ($21,546 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 32.5% lower than at Dean College ($13,400 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 45.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $14,626 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at Dean College than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $14,626 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dean College as at Lenoir Rhyne University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($32,958 vs. $23,467).

Dean College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College or Lenoir-Rhyne University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lenoir-Rhyne University and Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Lenoir-Rhyne University students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Dean College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College and Lenoir-Rhyne University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,647 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($16,353 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($169 vs. $279).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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.