Lyon College
Batesville, AR 72501
About Lyon College
Lyon College is a private university in Batesville, Arkansas, enrolling about 648 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 62.76% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $44,232 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Lyon College charges 6% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($31,000).
- Versus the Arkansas median, sticker tuition is about 4.2×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 46.76%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,232.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Lyon College is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 464% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon College | $31,000 | $19,616 | 1 |
| Private Non-profit (national median) | $29,325 | — | 1,444 |
| Arkansas (state median) | $7,334 | $9,144 | 51 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 37% below published tuition at Lyon College
Key findings
- Lyon College's average net price ($19,616) is 37% below published tuition ($31,000).
- Lyon College charges 6% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($31,000).
- Versus the Arkansas median, sticker tuition is about 4.2×.
Lyon College tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $31,000
Finding Lyon College charges 6% above the national private non-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $31,000. That is 6% above the national private non-profit median ($29,325). Versus the Arkansas median ($7,334), sticker tuition is about 4.2×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 2.6×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private non-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Lyon College versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Lyon College versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Lyon College is $19,616.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $19,616 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $10,472 above the Arkansas median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $4,645 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Lyon College’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 37% lower after grants and scholarships.
Lyon College: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Lyon College—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$31,000
Avg. net price
$19,616
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $16,084 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,695 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,348 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,936 |
| $110,001+ | $23,391 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $124,000. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Lyon College is known for
Top program completions
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General25
- Business Administration and Management, General25
- Computer Science12
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology12
- Psychology, General10
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 14% of admitted students enrolled.
- Midpoint ACT: 24
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Lyon College a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Lyon College is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Lyon College.
Campus
Location
Batesville, AR
City / state
- ZIP
- 72501
- NCES locale
- Town remote
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 31% above the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Private Non-profit
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Size
Enrollment
648
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 691
- Graduate
- 2
- Full-time share
- 99%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$21,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 40.61%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Lyon College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Lyon College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Lyon College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $23,594 | $23,594 | $12,350 |
| 2014 | $24,300 | $24,300 | $13,652 |
| 2015 | $25,280 | $25,280 | $17,003 |
| 2016 | $26,290 | $26,290 | $10,434 |
| 2017 | $27,340 | $27,340 | $19,158 |
| 2018 | $28,790 | $28,790 | $17,032 |
| 2019 | $29,140 | $29,140 | $15,447 |
| 2020 | $29,415 | $29,415 | $20,706 |
| 2021 | $30,414 | $30,414 | $10,786 |
| 2022 | $31,000 | $31,000 | $25,183 |
| 2023 | $31,000 | $31,000 | $22,670 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Midpoint 24 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Lyon College reported total enrollment of about 648 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 56% male and 44% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Race/ethnicity unknown (42.3%), White (33.3%), and Non-Resident Alien (7.9%). About 40.61% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Lyon College in 2024 is 648 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 691 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
71.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
38.43% 100% Completion Time
46.76% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 38.43% of students graduating from Lyon College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 44% male / 56% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 64% male / 36% female
- Computer Science: 83% male / 17% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Lyon College graduates earn a median of $44,232 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Lyon College.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $44,232. Median federal loan debt: $21,500. Average net price used in cost models: $19,616.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Lyon College graduates report median earnings of $44,232 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Lyon College.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (23 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Lyon College.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Lyon College graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Lyon College—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$97.2M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Arkansas median 15× the median ($6.5M)
- Southeast median 5.0× the median ($19.4M)
- U.S. median 3.7× the median ($26.4M)
- Arkansas median 30× the median ($7,616)
- Southeast median 24× the median ($9,308)
- U.S. median 19× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 79.7%
- Arkansas median 16.9 pp above median (62.8%)
- Southeast median 20.2 pp above median (59.4%)
- U.S. median 21.7 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $6,336
- Arkansas median 1.1× the median ($5,571)
- Southeast median 0.93× the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 0.83× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $19,293
- Arkansas median 3.1× the median ($6,294)
- Southeast median 2.9× the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 2.6× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Lyon College at a glance
Lyon College
Lyon College is a private non-profit institution in Batesville, AR, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, GeneralBusiness Administration and Management, GeneralComputer Science
- Largest enrollment groups
- Race/ethnicity unknown42.3%White or Caucasian33.3%Non-Resident Alien7.9%
Schools near Lyon College
Other campuses in Batesville, AR when available, plus nearby institutions in Arkansas.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Arkansas, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lyon College located?
Lyon College is located in Batesville, AR.
What is Lyon College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Lyon College is 62.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,522 applicants and 1,653 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Lyon College's tuition?
Lyon College tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $31,000 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $19,616 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Lyon College cost?
Reported tuition is $31,000 and average net price is $19,616 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,750 annually.
Why is Lyon College's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Lyon College, published tuition is $31,000 while average net price is $19,616—about 37% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Lyon College's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($19,616), completion (46.8% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($44,232). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Lyon College?
Lyon College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 691 students, Race/ethnicity unknown (42.3%), White (33.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Lyon College?
About 30.0% of students at Lyon College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Lyon College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Lyon College reports midpoint ACT about 24.
What do graduates of Lyon College earn?
Median earnings are $37,629 six years after entry and $44,232 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Lyon College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 46.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Lyon College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.