Lyon College’s fall enrollment up 13.5%

Lyon College has announced a substantial growth in enrollment this fall, recording a census day headcount of 666 students. This is a 13.5% increase from the fall 2023 headcount of 587 students and a 34.5% rise from the fall 2022 headcount of 495 students, according to the school

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 had a 71% fall-to-fall freshman retention rate, which is up from last year’s freshman retention rate of 68%.

“Our increases in enrollment and retention are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” said Lyon College President Melissa Taverner. “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.”

About 55% of the freshman class comes 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 had 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.

“Word has continued to spread,” said Provost Dr. Kurt Grafton. “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.”

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.