Lyon College

Lyon offers 18 majors and 24 minors, with biology as its most popular program (24 degrees awarded annually). The curriculum is steeped in liberal arts traditions, requiring first-year experiences (84% participation), senior capstones (72%), and service learning (65%). Undergraduate research is robust, with 56% of students engaging in projects—a standout for a college of its size. Degrees split between Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science options, depending on the major. Alumni frequently cite faculty mentorship and hands-on learning as defining features, with one noting 'academic and athletic experiences with teammates and faculty' as transformative.

With 664 undergraduates (56% male, 44% female), Lyon’s campus buzzes with Scottish-themed traditions, intramural sports, and a slate of student-led clubs. The college actively fosters community through events like Honors Fellows Welcome Day and frequent cultural programming. A TikTok tour highlights 'student organizations and athletic programs' as central to campus vibrancy. Housing and dining are tightly woven into the experience, with a supportive culture that prioritizes 'learning, growth, and participation'—key to its 71% first-year retention rate.

Lyon’s outcomes are a study in contrasts: a modest 39% four-year graduation rate but a stellar 97-98% post-graduate placement rate over five years. Median earnings six years post-graduation sit at $37,629, slightly below national averages, though the college emphasizes its 90% acceptance rate?Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. to medical/law schools as a counterpoint. Retention has been a challenge (71% first-to-second-year), prompting initiatives like the Thriving Scot Program to boost student persistence. Notably, women graduate at higher rates (44% in four years) than men (32%).

At $46,790 sticker price, Lyon leans heavily on aid to attract students, with the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. dropping to $25,545 after grants and scholarships. Merit aid?Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. is plentiful, including automatic $2,000 annual awards for campus visitors. The college packages federal loans, state grants, and institutional scholarships to meet need, with 98% of students receiving some form of aid. A notable gap exists between the advertised 'average aid package' ($24,872) and the actual net price, suggesting hidden costs or variability in awards.

Lyon’s distinction lies in its paradoxical blend of accessibility (63% acceptance rate?Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.) and elite outcomes (90% professional school placement). The Scottish heritage infuses campus culture with bagpipes and tartan, while the biology program’s dominance anchors its academic identity. It’s a college where students can play Division III sports, conduct undergraduate research, and pay below-average net prices?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.—all in a community so tight-knit that even retention struggles feel like growing pains rather than red flags. For students seeking a small-college experience with outsized professional preparation, Lyon delivers.