Lyon College

2300 Highland Road - Batesville, AR 72503
  • Region: Southeast
  • Campus Setting: Small Town
  • Size: Very Small

An academically-challenging, premier liberal arts college that believes the character built by our students is even more important throughout life than the degree earned.From international study-abroad programs, the latest technology and wide-ranging majors to award-winning professors and almost 150 years of tradition, Lyon College (Batesville, AR) offers more than the typical college experience.

In 14 of the past 21 years, a Lyon faculty member has been named "Arkansas Professor of the Year" by the Carnegie Foundation. Full-time faculty teach almost all classes. A student-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 15 ensure personalized attention for 600 students from 22 states & 15 countries.

Cited by U.S. News and World Report in the "Great Schools, Great Prices" category, Lyon is the oldest independent college in Arkansas and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Medical and law school admission rates exceed 90 percent; graduates are sought by employers. The majority of students complete degrees in four years.

Lyon's picturesque 136-acre campus is 90 miles northeast of Little Rock. Student activities include more than 40 clubs; five national Greek organizations; an active Campus Ministry; a regulation Disc Golf Course; ready access to outstanding camping, canoeing, caving, rock-climbing and hiking locations; and, a distinctive Scottish Heritage program.

About Lyon College

Lyon College is a selective undergraduate liberal arts college located in the foothills of the scenic Ozarks. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest colleges in Arkansas. Valued for its small class size, strong student-faculty interactions, and collegial atmosphere, Lyon has forged a singular identity by combining a deep commitment to outstanding liberal arts with a rich community setting. Undergraduates at Lyon can pursue degrees in 15 disciplines as well as pre-professional programs leading to careers in education, law, medicine, physical therapy, and more. Additional programs include the APPLE Project Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science programs for high school students. More than 99 percent of Lyon students receive financial aid. Lyon offers extensive merit-based scholarship programs, federal and state need-based and merit-based financial aid programs, and athletic grants-in-aid. Lyon is frequently recognized as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation, ranking as a nationwide top college by Forbes.com; a -Best Southeastern College- by the Princeton Review; and a -Best Bang for the Buck- college and -Most Socially Beneficial College in Arkansas- by Washington Monthly, which also recognized Lyon for recruiting and graduating the highest percentage of low-income students of any college in the state Anything is possible at Lyon-with the College-s award-winning faculty, Scottish heritage, highly competitive athletics, outstanding education and adventure program, many campus groups and activities, beautiful historic setting, and unique honor and social codes, students have the freedom to take charge of their own future.

Mission Statement

A selective, independent, undergraduate, residential teaching and learning community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lyon College offers a challenging curriculum centered on the liberal arts, guided by an Honor System and coordinated with co-curricular programs, all fostering the critical, creative thought and ethical, spiritual growth that will prepare students for fulfilling personal and professional lives committed to lifelong learning and service.