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Colleges / MO / Jefferson City
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Lincoln University

Public Jefferson City, MO · Urban · Plains · 87% data
B- Diversity C Earnings C- Affordability
22%
F
Graduation Rate
Lower completion rate than most colleges
$39,463
C
Earnings (10yr)
Roughly in line with national averages
$19,092
C-
Net Price
Close to the national average
1,392
Enrollment
Earnings -3% vs avg
Graduation -62% vs avg
Net Price 11% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.4 over 20 years.

13.4× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $13.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $943,638.

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What The Data Says

1

A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

2

Graduation of 22% — 62% below the national average.

3

Every $1 invested returns $13.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Lincoln University

Lincoln University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate College
Enrollment
1,392
Setting
Urban
Designations
HBCU
Primary Strengths
Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology

Why students choose Lincoln University

Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
HBCU community
A historically Black college with a strong leadership pipeline
Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 61% overall
C
Earnings
$39,463 median
C-
Value
2.1× net price
C-
Affordability
$19,092/yr net
F
Graduation
22% graduate
B-
Diversity
0.66 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of just 1,392 students, Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, caters to those looking for a more intimate college experience. It appeals to students interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, and Humanities. The smaller campus environment can foster close relationships with faculty, which is crucial for hands-on learning and mentorship.

When we look at post-graduation outcomes, the average earnings after 10 years sit at $39,463. That’s a solid starting point for many graduates, especially considering the affordability of the education here. While the graduation rate is on the lower side at 22%, many students receive Pell Grants, which can help ease financial burdens and make college more accessible for those in need.

In terms of costs, the net price after aid is around $19,092, and the median debt upon graduation is $28,875. This financial landscape means that students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and are determined to succeed despite challenges. Those who take advantage of the support systems in place, including grants and personal connections with faculty, tend to navigate their educational journey more successfully.

Rankings

1

Can I Get In?

How selective Lincoln University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Lincoln University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Jefferson City, Missouri, Lincoln University enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 22%.

Retention Rate 60%
Full-Time Faculty 72%
Faculty Salary (mo) $5,626
Student–Faculty Ratio 15:1
Diversity Index 0.66
First-Gen Students 38%
2

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lincoln University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

When weighing the true cost of attending Lincoln University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $17,692 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $19,092 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,070 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $28,875.

$9,796
In-State Tuition
$17,692
Out-of-State
$19,092
Avg Net Price
$28,875
Median Debt
49%
Pell Grant Rate
44%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$20,070
Family Income $0–$30K
$19,313
Family Income $30K–$48K
$18,287
Family Income $48K–$75K
$19,984
Family Income $110K+
3

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Lincoln University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Lincoln University report median earnings of $39,463; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.

$32,185
6 Years After Entry
$36,168
8 Years
$39,463
10 Years
0.73x
Debt-to-Earnings
49%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$32,185 6yr $36,168 8yr $39,463 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

12%
100% (59)
12%
100% (59)
12%
100% (59)
12%
100% (59)

How Lincoln Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation22%Earnings 10yr$39KNet Price$19KRetention60%Median Debt$29KPell Grant Rate49%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$20K$0-30K$19K$30-48K$18K$48-75K$20K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Lincoln University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Lincoln University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,092/year ($76,368 total). Graduates earn $39,463 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,020,006 in total earnings — a net gain of $943,638 (13.4× your investment). The median debt is $28,875, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 22% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

$76,368
Total Cost (4yr)
$1,020,006
Projected 20yr Earnings
$943,638
Net Return
13.4×
ROI Multiple
$19,092
Cost Per Year
$28,875
Median Debt
Less than 1 yr
Debt Payback
22%
Graduation Rate
4

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

$2,852,874
Endowment
Total Expenses
$245,470
Federal Grants
$-695,246
Investment Income

Top Programs

The fields Lincoln University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Lincoln University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +

As a public institution in Jefferson City, Missouri, Lincoln University enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 22%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lincoln University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +

When weighing the true cost of attending Lincoln University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $17,692 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $19,092 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,070 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $28,875.

Is Lincoln University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +

Ten years out, alumni of Lincoln University report median earnings of $39,463; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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