Lindenwood University
#3 Best Business Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,278 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,638 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 57% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Business Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $16.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,201,666.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lindenwood University Matters
Lindenwood University is a private university in Saint Charles, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,624
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Visual & Performing Arts, Education
Why students choose Lindenwood University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 57% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,638 a year after grants and scholarships — 15% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,278 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 80% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Lindenwood University is a solid choice for students interested in practical programs like Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, and Education. With an enrollment of about 4,624 students and a moderate acceptance rate of 57%, it caters to a diverse group looking for a supportive environment. The graduation rate sits at 50%, which reflects the challenges some students face but also indicates that many do find their way through the system and achieve their degrees.
After graduation, many Lindenwood alumni earn an average of $53,278 within ten years, which can set them up nicely for a stable financial future. While we don't have specific data on mobility rates, the figures suggest that those who do complete their degrees can expect a reasonable return on their investment. Affordability is a key consideration, and with 30% of students receiving Pell Grants, there are options for financial support available to those who qualify.
In terms of cost, the net price after aid is approximately $19,638, which is quite manageable compared to many other private institutions. The median debt of $26,000 is something to keep in mind, but it reflects a common reality for many college graduates. Students who thrive at Lindenwood often share a drive for hands-on learning and a commitment to their field, making it a good fit for those who want to jump right into their careers after graduation.
Rankings
- #3 Best Business Colleges in Missouri
- #4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #5 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #13 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
- #13 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective Lindenwood University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lindenwood University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- SAT Average
- 1190
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,990
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 4,372
- Admitted
- 3,236
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 Lindenwood University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lindenwood University is $21,600, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,638. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,678 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,600
- Out-of-State
- $21,600
- Avg Net Price
- $19,638
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,678
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,701
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,603
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,821
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lindenwood University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lindenwood University earn a median of $53,278, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,711
- 8 Years
- $49,353
- 10 Years
- $53,278
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (400)
- 34%
- 100% (400)
- 34%
- 100% (400)
- 34%
- 100% (400)
- 34%
How Lindenwood Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lindenwood University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lindenwood University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,638/year ($78,552 total). Graduates earn $53,278 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,280,218 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,201,666 (16.3× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $78,552
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,280,218
- Net Return
- $1,201,666
- ROI Multiple
- 16.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,638
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lindenwood University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lindenwood University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.94%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.94%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $91,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-21,559,652
Top Programs
The fields Lindenwood 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.
- Business & Marketing 29%
- Computer Science & IT 12%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Education 7%
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Health Professions 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Psychology 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lindenwood University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lindenwood University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lindenwood University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lindenwood University is $21,600, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,638. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,678 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Lindenwood University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lindenwood University earn a median of $53,278, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lindenwood University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lindenwood University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.94%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lindenwood University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lindenwood University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lindenwood University.
- University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO · Close peer57% grad $53,037 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bowie State UniversityBowie, MD · Close peer38% grad $54,537 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN · Close peer51% grad $53,755 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer56% grad $53,610 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · Close peer46% grad $51,989 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead, MN · Close peer56% grad $50,527 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lindenwood University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lindenwood University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note