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Lincoln University

Lincoln University is a public campus in suburban Lincoln University, PA. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities — a federally recognized designation.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$11,585

family income
under $30k

$11,666

$30–48k

$12,623

$48–75k

$18,201

$75–110k

$16,615

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$14,9772023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Lincoln University rose from $12,064 (2008) to $14,977 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$12,064
2009	$12,311
2010	$12,207
2011	$13,469
2012	$14,754
2013	$15,146
2014	$14,620
2015	$18,395
2016	$18,769
2017	$14,180
2018	$17,731
2019	$17,741
2020	$14,404
2021	$16,029
2022	$12,912
2023	$14,977

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$28,5052024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Lincoln University rose from $19,126 (2009) to $28,505 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$19,126
2010	$19,634
2011	$20,237
2012	$22,146
2013	$22,497
2014	$23,239
2015	$22,498
2016	$25,784
2017	$26,226
2018	$25,170
2019	$25,682
2020	$26,008
2021	$24,134
2022	$26,546
2023	$27,358
2024	$28,505

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$5,026	$8,192
2001	$5,176	$8,440
2002	$5,744	$9,182
2003	$6,952	$10,872
2004	$7,268	$11,364
2005	$6,866	$11,106
2006	$7,110	$11,498
2007	$7,578	$12,008
2008	$8,076	$12,682
2013	$9,804	$15,084
2014	$10,232	$15,618
2015	$10,878	$16,398
2016	$11,102	$16,733
2017	$11,379	$17,151
2018	$11,036	$16,952
2019	$11,266	$17,468
2020	$11,266	$17,468
2021	$11,556	$17,912
2022	$11,910	$18,456
2023	$12,512	$19,384

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Lincoln University reports published tuition by residency: $12,512 in-state versus $19,384 out-of-state — a $6,872 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Lincoln University reports 1,539 undergraduates. This count does not measure class size or advising access.

43.5% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Lincoln University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

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43.5%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Lincoln University fell from 49.1% (entered 1991) to 43.5% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	49.1%
1992 cohort	49.7%
1993 cohort	46.3%
1994 cohort	45%
1995 cohort	36%
1996 cohort	41.3%
1997 cohort	38.8%
1998 cohort	44.4%
1999 cohort	40.4%
2000 cohort	38.5%
2001 cohort	37.6%
2002 cohort	37.5%
2003 cohort	36.9%
2004 cohort	37.1%
2005 cohort	40.2%
2006 cohort	37%
2007 cohort	39.8%
2008 cohort	41.5%
2009 cohort	42.3%
2010 cohort	43.5%
2011 cohort	46.2%
2012 cohort	47.4%
2013 cohort	47.4%
2014 cohort	45.2%
2015 cohort	49%
2016 cohort	44.7%
2017 cohort	52.1%
2018 cohort	43.5%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$16,500	$3,825
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$16,851	$4,460
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$17,250	$4,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$17,559	$6,450
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$17,125	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$16,250	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,293	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$15,375	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$17,125	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$17,125	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$19,876	$7,059
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$22,150	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$25,625	$10,188
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$29,625	$10,250
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$32,500	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$34,462	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$31,000	$10,635
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$31,000	$13,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$31,208	$13,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$31,000	$11,840
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$31,000	$10,250
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$30,855	$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$29,000	$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$28,250	$12,000

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$32,865

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$42,416

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$43,167

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Lincoln University admitted 3,449 of 5,248 applicants in Fall 2024. The 65.7% rate describes that application pool.

65.7%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $12,512 in-state tuition · 2023–24 1,539 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 820–9601600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Lincoln University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Lincoln University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 420–500 and Math was 400–460 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 820–960 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	420	490	500
SAT Math	400	430	460

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Lincoln University received 5,248 applications and admitted 3,449 (65.7%), with 424 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

65.7%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	52.5%
Fall 2002	49.1%
Fall 2003	49.1%
Fall 2004	42.2%
Fall 2005	35.3%
Fall 2006	38.5%
Fall 2008	35.3%
Fall 2009	30.9%
Fall 2010	26.2%
Fall 2011	35.6%
Fall 2012	25%
Fall 2013	—
Fall 2014	27.2%
Fall 2015	91.4%
Fall 2016	87.1%
Fall 2017	79.7%
Fall 2018	81%
Fall 2019	82.8%
Fall 2020	90.3%
Fall 2021	79.8%
Fall 2022	80.6%
Fall 2023	78.4%
Fall 2024	65.7%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

820–960Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2002	720	940
Fall 2003	720	940
Fall 2004	710	920
Fall 2005	720	920
Fall 2006	710	900
Fall 2008	740	900
Fall 2009	730	890
Fall 2010	770	940
Fall 2011	770	940
Fall 2012	810	980
Fall 2013	770	940
Fall 2014	773	940
Fall 2015	740	930
Fall 2016	750	925
Fall 2017	870	1070
Fall 2018	860	1020
Fall 2019	870	1010
Fall 2020	860	1028
Fall 2021	890	1073
Fall 2022	840	1040
Fall 2023	870	1050
Fall 2024	820	960

IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

18–22Fall 2023 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2006	15	18
Fall 2008	15	20
Fall 2009	15	19
Fall 2010	16	19
Fall 2011	16	19
Fall 2013	15	20
Fall 2014	16	21
Fall 2015	15	19
Fall 2016	15	19
Fall 2017	16	21
Fall 2018	16	20
Fall 2019	16	18
Fall 2020	15	18
Fall 2021	16	21
Fall 2022	15	20
Fall 2023	18	22

IPEDS Fall 2006–2023, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

1,539Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Lincoln University has wandered from Fall 2002 to Fall 2024 — up to 2,113 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 1,539.

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	1,544
Fall 2003	1,504
Fall 2004	1,520
Fall 2005	1,700
Fall 2006	1,860
Fall 2007	1,898
Fall 2008	1,962
Fall 2009	2,020
Fall 2010	1,796
Fall 2011	1,736
Fall 2012	1,669
Fall 2013	1,614
Fall 2014	1,576
Fall 2015	1,689
Fall 2016	1,816
Fall 2017	1,994
Fall 2018	2,113
Fall 2019	2,032
Fall 2020	1,892
Fall 2021	1,763
Fall 2022	1,704
Fall 2023	1,712
Fall 2024	1,539

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

73%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Lincoln University rose from 61% (Fall 2002) to 73% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	61%
Fall 2003 cohort	64%
Fall 2004 cohort	68%
Fall 2005 cohort	70%
Fall 2006 cohort	66%
Fall 2007 cohort	70%
Fall 2008 cohort	74%
Fall 2009 cohort	75%
Fall 2010 cohort	70%
Fall 2011 cohort	67%
Fall 2012 cohort	72%
Fall 2013 cohort	76%
Fall 2014 cohort	77%
Fall 2015 cohort	73%
Fall 2016 cohort	68%
Fall 2017 cohort	78%
Fall 2018 cohort	71%
Fall 2019 cohort	71%
Fall 2020 cohort	73%
Fall 2021 cohort	79%
Fall 2022 cohort	71%
Fall 2023 cohort	73%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Lincoln University

Faculty pay at Lincoln University averages $114,960 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Lincoln University as a primarily residential campus of 1,539 undergraduates — and 73.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Lincoln University's SAT section-percentile sums are 820–960 — their midpoint is below the PA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Lincoln University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Lincoln University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Lincoln University65.7%

Pennsylvania median81.7%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Lincoln University$12,512

Pennsylvania median$33,730

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Lincoln University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Lincoln University$43,167

Pennsylvania median$62,101

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Lincoln University, Pennsylvania and national reference values
Metric & basis	Lincoln University	Pennsylvania median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	65.7%	81.7%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$12,512	$33,730	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$43,167	$62,101	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Lincoln University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Lincoln University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 11 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$74,652
Biology, General	$55,431
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$54,632
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General	$51,056
Human Services, General	$50,390
Sociology	$50,141
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$49,412
English Language and Literature, General	$49,159
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$48,706
Political Science and Government	$47,374
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication	$36,544

These 11 fields listed for Lincoln University measure earnings after completion. The $43,167 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 23 additional Lincoln University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Lincoln University report?

Lincoln University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 820–960 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Lincoln University's acceptance rate?

65.7% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 3,449 admitted from 5,248 applicants.

How much does Lincoln University cost?

In-state tuition is $12,512; out-of-state students pay $19,384. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Lincoln University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $43,167. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Pennsylvania

UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing — 80.8% admitted
Lycoming College — 74.1% admitted
Lebanon Valley College — 83.8% admitted
Marywood University — 60.6% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.