Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

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

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College ($21,546 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 0.7% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($13,305 vs. $13,400).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is 174.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $20,280 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.5% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at Messenger College (about $20,280 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 495.6% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($23,467 vs. $3,940).

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lenoir-Rhyne University or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and Lenoir-Rhyne University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lenoir-Rhyne University students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lenoir-Rhyne University and Messenger College? 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).

• Lenoir Rhyne University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 40%)

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.