Admit rate has ranged 27%–66% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Lyon College is a small, intimate liberal arts college in Batesville, Arkansas, that operates like a close-knit academic village. It’s a place where 72% of incoming freshmen were in the top quartile of their high school class, yet the admissions process is notably accessible. The college stakes its reputation on high-impact, hands-on learning—with a majority of students participating in undergraduate research, service learning, and capstone projects—and boasts a remarkably high acceptance rate to graduate schools for its pre-professional tracks.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
648
In-state tuition
$31,000
Out-of-state tuition
$31,000
Graduation Rate
47%
Early Action Offered
Yes
First-Year Retention
71%
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$44,232
Regular Decision Deadline
May 1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$44,232
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
47%
First-year retention
71%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
67%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
30%
Financial health
0.6 / 3.0Below the federal standard — financial stress
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
History$29,685
Biology, General$25,194
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
82
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
34°F
Annual rain
49.6"
Annual snow
5.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
220
Scholarly works
18,955
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Lyon College?
Lyon College's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (Batesville, AR), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Lyon College cost?
At Lyon College, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,616 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lyon College?
Lyon College enrolls approximately 648 undergraduate students.
Where is Lyon College located?
Lyon College is located in Batesville, AR.
Admissions
Lyon College is a less selective institution with an accessible admissions process. The college reports an overall of 63%, a figure consistently cited across multiple sources. Applicants are typically strong students; the institutional profile notes that 72% of entering freshmen rank in the top quartile of their high school graduating class. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students falls between 1050–1195, while the ACT range is typically 21–27. The average high school GPA of incoming students is approximately 3.57. Lyon offers an Early Action option, with a regular admission deadline of May 1. Notably, the college states that SAT/ACT scores are 'Not considered' in its admissions decisions, as per U.S. News data. Demonstrated interest is a factor that colleges can report on the (C7), but the provided sources do not specify Lyon's policy regarding its consideration.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Lyon offers a classic, rigorous liberal arts education, described as taking place in a "friendly, safe, and welcoming environment." Students pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree across 29 majors, supported by an exceptionally intimate 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The academic experience is defined by high-impact, engaged learning practices. According to U.S. News, a significant majority of students participate in key programs: 84% in first-year experiences, 72% in a senior capstone, 65% in service learning, and 56% in undergraduate research or creative projects. The most popular majors, based on graduate numbers, include Biology, Business, Computer Science, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and Psychology. This structure fosters close mentorship and prepares students exceptionally well for graduate school; the admissions page boasts a 90% acceptance rate to medical and law schools for Lyon undergraduates.
Life at Lyon revolves around a tight-knit community of roughly 664 undergraduate students (as of Fall 2024), where people of "diverse cultures and nationalities live, work, and play." The gender distribution is 55.7% male and 43.7% female. Campus life is active, with a mix of educational, social, and community involvement opportunities each semester. A vibrant Greek life significantly shapes the social scene, featuring three fraternities and three sororities. The supportive campus culture is designed to encourage learning, growth, and participation, with students studying, playing, worshipping, and competing together. The college emphasizes building relationships and respect for self and others, creating what it calls "an excellent backdrop" for student development.
Outcomes data for Lyon graduates presents a mixed picture, with strong postgraduate placement but modest graduation rates and early-career earnings. The college proudly highlights its student outcomes rate, boasting a three-year average of 98% and a five-year average of 97% for graduates who are employed, in graduate school, or in service programs within six months of graduation. However, graduation rates are a noted challenge. The four-year graduation rate is 39%, rising to a six-year rate of 59%. The college's official facts page reports a six-year graduation rate of 46% for students entering in fall 2015 (37% at four years). Retention of first-year students is 71%. In terms of earnings, the median salary six years after graduation is $37,629. The college awarded 136 degrees across all programs in 2024, with 45.6% awarded to women.
The total at Lyon College is $46,790 for tuition and fees. However, the —the average cost after aid and scholarships—is significantly lower. The average net price after aid is $19,616. College Board figures note an average aid package of $24,872, bringing the cost after scholarships and grants to $22,675. Financial aid includes both need-based and merit-based options. All students who file a FAFSA are considered for federal Direct Loans, which can range from $5,500 to $7,500 per year. Merit-based scholarships are widely available for freshman and transfer students, including awards for academic achievement, fine arts, Scottish heritage, and performance. The college provides a net price calculator for families to estimate their actual cost. The provided sources do not indicate that Lyon College has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need or a "no-loan" financial aid policy.
Lyon College stands out for delivering a high-touch, classic liberal arts experience with remarkably strong pre-professional results, all within an accessible and community-focused environment. Its singular claim is the 90% acceptance rate of its undergraduates to medical and law schools, a staggering figure that speaks to the efficacy of its close mentorship and emphasis on undergraduate research and capstone projects. While its graduation rates are modest, the college's 97-98% outcomes rate for graduates being employed or in further education underscores a practical, successful bridge from college to career or advanced study. The combination of a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a campus where Greek life defines a vibrant social scene, and an admissions process that welcomes strong students (72% in the top high school quartile) without extreme selectivity creates a unique niche. It's a college for students who want the attentive guidance and high-impact learning of a premier liberal arts college but within a more open, community-oriented atmosphere in rural Arkansas.
Lyon College seal · sourceLyon College Campus Map | Located in Batesville, AR · sourceLyon College Unveils Locations for Schools of Dental Medicine and Veterinary Medicine · sourceLyon College Campus Map | Located in Batesville, AR · source
