At $22,670/yr net price, Lyon College graduates earn $44,232/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,232/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,670 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,680 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,232/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,232/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,857/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,504/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,559/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,258/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,818/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| History. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
55.9% of students at Lyon College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lyon College gives you a mixed financial picture, and the returns lean weak. Ten years out, the median earnings sit close to what a graduate with only a high school diploma might reach in some Arkansas markets, and that number lags the roughly $23,000 annual net price you pay to attend. The debt load is manageable on its own, but the earnings behind it don't build much of a cushion.
The program data here is a warning. History and biology, the two bachelor's programs with reported earnings, both pay under $30,000 a year. History graduates come in under $30,000 and biology under $26,000. Neither of these tracks translates a Lyon degree into strong early-career pay, and biology in particular usually needs graduate school before the money improves, which means more time and more cost before you see a return.
The biggest risk specific to Lyon is that fewer than 7 in 10 students come back after freshman year, and only about 56 percent finish. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings. That combination is where this school hurts people financially.
The net price tiers work against middle-income families here. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay less than $19,000. if you earn between $48,000 and $75,000, you pay more than $22,000, and above $110,000 you pay nearly $27,000. The discount for lower-income families is real but modest given the earnings that follow.
Lyon fits you if you qualify for the lower-income net price, plan to graduate, and are heading toward a field or graduate program where the degree opens doors the salary data here doesn't capture. If you'd need heavy loans and want strong early pay from history or biology, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lyon College worth the cost compared to other Arkansas schools?
Lyon College graduates earn $44,232 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $22,670 per year and median debt of $21,500, the return on investment is modest compared to larger state universities in Arkansas.
What are the best paying majors at Lyon College?
History majors earn the highest at $29,685 after graduation, while Biology majors earn $25,194. These earnings are significantly lower than national averages for these fields, making Lyon College a risky choice for students focused on maximizing income.
How much debt do Lyon College students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Lyon College graduates is $21,500, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with post-graduation earnings of $44,232, debt payments may still represent a significant portion of graduates' income.
Does Lyon College have good graduation rates for the money?
Lyon College has a 55.90% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their degree. For a school charging over $22,000 annually, this completion rate represents poor value and high risk for students who may not graduate.