Article by
Madeline Pyle
Lyon College
According to recent reports, 99 percent of Lyon College 2018 graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school, which is the highest rate reported by a college in Arkansas.
Lyon’s percentage is also 18 points higher than the national average and is 22 points higher than the state average.
“Lyon provides an education that well equips its graduates for the twenty-first century, and a liberal arts education holistically prepares our students for whatever they endeavor after graduation,” said Lyon President Joey King. “I have said I am determined for Lyon to do much more than survive, and the 99 percent average shows that our graduates do much more than survive also – they thrive.”
Six months since graduation, 58 percent of graduates are employed, while 44 percent are continuing their education. These percentages equal 102 percent because three percent of graduates are both employed and pursuing graduate school, which duplicates the data.
“This college is home to students from all over the world who come here knowing they want to do something big, to be part of something special,” said Lyon College Director of Career Services Annette Castleberry. “Personnel here know their students as individuals and make great effort to contribute to their growth.”
Students have reported employment with Johns Hopkins University, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, First Community Bank, and LaCroix Precision Optics, as well as several non-profit organizations and teaching positions.
Those pursuing graduate and professional school are currently attending schools such as the Clinton School of Public Service, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Michigan, Yale Law School, and the University of Missouri.
The report comes from Lyon’s Director of Institutional Research Andrew English, who gathers this data from students. English sent surveys to seniors before they graduated and followed up with additional surveys over the past few months.
“We follow nationally normed best practices in determining our outcomes rate,” he said. “The process involves collecting data from student surveys, social media, and cross-checking enrollment information with the National Student Clearinghouse.”
The 99 percent rate beats the 2017 graduates’ rate of 98 percent.
Image via Lyon College
