Lyon College has announced a substantial growth in enrollment this fall, recording a census day headcount of 666 students.
According to a release from the college, this marks a 13.5 percent increase from the fall 2023 headcount of 587 students and a 34.5 percent rise from the fall 2022 headcount of 495 students.
This year, Lyon College welcomed 234 new first-time, full-time college students—the second-largest freshman class in the college’s 152-year history. The college also experienced a 71 percent fall-to-fall freshman retention rate, which is up significantly from last year’s freshman retention rate of 68 percent.
President Dr. Melissa Taverner expressed her excitement about the enrollment growth.
“Our increases in enrollment and retention are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” Dr. Taverner said. “It underscores our ongoing efforts to provide a high-quality, supportive, and welcoming learning environment that attracts students from across Arkansas, the nation, and the world.”
The release said 55 percent of the freshman class hails from Arkansas. The college’s largest feeder high schools include Batesville High School, Cave City High School, Highland High School, and Southside High School.
The college also experienced significant growth in the number of transfer students from area two-year colleges, including the University of Arkansas Community at Batesville, Arkansas State University-Newport, and Ozarka College.
Provost Dr. Kurt Grafton highlighted Lyon College’s value.
“Word has continued to spread,” Dr. Grafton said. “Today’s students and their families are very careful when it comes to choosing a college. More and more they recognize the exceptional value and experience that Lyon College offers. Students from dozens of different states and from around the world who want to be a part of their education, and not just pass through it, are choosing Lyon College.”
Vice President for Enrollment Services Tommy Newton emphasized the importance of Lyon’s community partnerships in achieving this growth.
“Our strategic partnerships with high schools and two-year colleges have played a significant role in this year’s success,” Newton said. “We’re committed to building on these relationships to continue growing our enrollment and ensuring that Lyon College remains a top choice for students in Arkansas and beyond.”
Last year, Lyon College launched its innovative Backyard Access Program, designed to make higher education more accessible to students from 16 area high schools. For the amount of a full Pell Grant and the amount of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship for the current year, students graduating from high schools in 16 area districts can commute to Lyon College for zero out-of-pocket tuition costs.
Commuter students who qualify for a portion of a Pell Grant or no Pell Grant at all are only charged tuition in the amount of a full Pell Grant plus the amount of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship for the current academic year. There is also a discounted room-and-board rate for local students choosing to live on campus.
The college said its commitment to growth is further bolstered by the addition of new graduate programs, including the Master of Arts in Teaching and the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students.
These programs not only expand Lyon College’s academic offerings but also attract a broader range of students committed to making a difference in education, the release noted.
As Lyon College continues to expand its academic offerings, the college is also laying the groundwork for the state’s first dental and veterinary schools, which will be located in Little Rock and Cabot, respectively. The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2025, followed by the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine in the summer of 2026.
Image provided by Lyon College
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