Colleges in Hickory, North Carolina
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in Hickory, North Carolina (1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $15,609 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 41.5%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 85% of applicants.
The median net price in Hickory runs about $929 higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $14,680.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Hickory, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$15,609
After aid
Median grad rate
41.5%
6-year
Median admission rate
85%
Median enrollment
2,050
Undergrad
All colleges in Hickory
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba Valley Community College Hickory, NC | NC | Public, 2-year | $10,528 | 35.2% | Not available | 2,741 | Partial | |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $20,689 | 47.8% | 85% | 1,359 | Complete |
By institution type
Public (1)
Public colleges in Hickory are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Catawba Valley Community CollegeNet price: $10,528Grad: 35.2%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Hickory are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityNet price: $20,689Grad: 47.8%
Top programs in Hickory
Most-completed programs across Hickory colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts25.0% of degrees
- Health professions15.4% of degrees
- Business13.3% of degrees
- Precision production6.9% of degrees
- Parks & recreation6.6% of degrees
- Engineering tech3.8% of degrees
- Construction trades3.5% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement3.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Hickory
Q.How many colleges are in Hickory, North Carolina?
There are 2 colleges and universities in Hickory, North Carolina that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in Hickory?
By undergraduate enrollment, Catawba Valley Community College is the largest institution in Hickory with roughly 2,741 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Hickory?
Based on average net price after aid, Catawba Valley Community College is the most affordable institution in Hickory at $10,528 per year.
Q.Which Hickory college has the highest graduation rate?
Lenoir-Rhyne University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Hickory institutions at 47.8%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Hickory?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in Hickory is $15,609 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Hickory?
Across Hickory colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Hickory?
Yes — Hickory includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in North Carolina
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Hickory that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.