Ģý at a Glance
Fast Facts
Ģý is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
University Information
- Founded in 1891 by four Lutheran pastors
- Three locations: Hickory, N.C.; Asheville, N.C.; Columbia, S.C.
- Motto: Veritas vos Liberabit (the truth shall set you free)
- Alma mater: Fair Star of Caroline
- Mission, vision and values
Student Body
- 2,230+ students
- 1,477 undergraduate (on-campus in Hickory, N.C.)
- 753 graduate (on-campus and online)
- Student distribution: 39 states/territories; 75 North Carolina counties; 29 countries
- $30+ million awarded in scholarships and financial aid annually
- $200,000+ in study abroad scholarships for Ģý students
- 17,643+ living alumni (undergraduate and graduate degree holders) from all 50 states and many countries around the globe
Turn Passion into Purpose
At Ģý, youll explore meaningful programs that challenge you, support your goals and prepare you for a fulfilling career and life of purpose.
In the Classroom
- Majors Offered: 45+
- Minors: 53
- Graduate Programs: 20
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1
- Average class size: 22
- Faculty: 127 full time; more than 80% hold terminal degrees
Go Bears!
Ģý's passionate fan base supports a number of championship-caliber intercollegiate athletic programs that compete as a member of the NCAA and South Atlantic Conference.
Athletics
- Mascot: Joe Bear
- Conferences: South Atlantic Conference
- Affiliation: NCAA Division II
- Teams: 23
Being a student-athlete, I was fortunate enough to spend three weeks in Germany with the support of a scholarship.
Across ceremonies held in Hickory, Asheville and Columbia on May 7-9, Ģý celebrated 578 undergraduate and graduate students earning their degrees and stepping into their next chapters as alumni.
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SOURCE 2026 highlighted student excellence across a range of disciplines, featuring Honors Thesis Competition winners and the inaugural Bears Engage awards.
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