Lincoln University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Jefferson City, Missouri. It enrolls 1,392 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
52/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes25
Value29
Affordability47
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Lincoln University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Lincoln University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $19,092 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$19,092
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
49%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
44%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,796
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$17,692
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,256
Room & Board (off-campus)
$7,900
Books & Supplies
$2,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,396
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,716
Total Cost of Attendance
$23,704
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$20,070
$30,001 – $48,000
$19,313
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,287
$75,001 – $110,000
$14,466
Over $110,000
$19,984
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,05010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$28,875Medianpercentile
$23,50075%percentile
$41,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $20,000
↓ $8,875
No Pell $14,375
↓ $14,500
Dependent students $17,750
↓ $11,125
Independent students $21,938
↓ $6,937
Female students $18,750
↓ $10,125
Male students $20,375
↓ $8,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,500, less than completers ($28,875), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
28% of full-time students who enrolled at Lincoln University graduate within six years, and 55% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
28%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
55%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Lincoln University earn a median of $39,463 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$39,463
Earning > $25K
68%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$34,700
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$34,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$31,100
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$36,000
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$40,800
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
21.7 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 70% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Lincoln University is home to 1,392 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 38% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,392
Part-Time
9%
First-Generation
38%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Black 49.9%694
White 28.7%400
International 8.0%111
Other 4.8%67
Hispanic 3.9%54
Asian 0.7%10
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Lincoln University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityJefferson City, Missouri
Housing
Mostly residential717 beds on campus
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Historically Black College / University (HBCU)
What You Can Study
Lincoln University offers
a varied set of programs:
35 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Lincoln University is 13:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
13:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$10,009
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$3.1M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$59,437
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
88 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
25
28%
$72,072
Associate Professors
14
16%
$58,723
Assistant Professors
42
48%
$54,579
Instructors
6
7%
$43,809
Lecturers
1
1%
$51,337
Pros & Cons of Lincoln University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Lincoln University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Reasonable class sizes
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Higher than typical student debt at graduation
Best for:
Based on the data, Lincoln University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lincoln University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Lincoln University.
How much does Lincoln University cost?
The average net price after aid at Lincoln University is $19,092 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Lincoln University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $39,463 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $19,092 per year. That's roughly 2.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Lincoln University known for?
Lincoln University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Foods & Nutrition, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Lincoln University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Lincoln University are $39,463, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Lincoln University accredited?
Yes. Lincoln University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Lincoln University?
Lincoln University enrolls 1,392 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Lincoln University?
Lincoln University graduates 28% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Lincoln University a public or private college?
Lincoln University is a Public institution.
Where is Lincoln University located?
Lincoln University is located in Jefferson City, Missouri.
What programs does Lincoln University offer?
Lincoln University offers 35 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Foods & Nutrition, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Lincoln University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Lincoln University is 13:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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