L

Lincoln University

PublicHBCUCity: Small

About Lincoln University

Overview, location, and what makes it stand out

Lincoln University in Jefferson City was founded in 1866 by Black soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantry, who paid for it out of their own wages. It is a historically Black land-grant university, admits every qualified applicant, and teaches mostly business, nutrition, nursing and criminal justice.

Founded

1866

Location

Jefferson City, Missouri

Students

1,520

Institution

Public

Known For

HBCU

Key Stats

A quick snapshot of what matters most

Acceptance Rate

Open

Admits all qualified applicants

Graduation Rate

20.9%

Below national average

In-State Tuition

$9,796

Out-of-state: $17,692

Avg Net Price

$19,092

After financial aid

SAT Average

Not required

No test scores requested

Median Earnings

$39,463

10 years after enrollment

Admissions

How competitive is getting in?

Selectivity

Open Admission

Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate

How to Apply

Test Policy

No test needed

Application Fee

Free

Early

June 1

Regular

July 1

Academics

How strong is the academic experience?

Student Success

Low GraduationHigh Graduation
20.9%

Below Average

20.9% complete their degree within six years

Retention

59.9%

4-Year Grad

14%

6-Year Grad

27%

Teaching Quality

13:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

Full-Time

72.4%

$/Student

$8.8K

Class Size

Medium

The 14% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.

Tuition & Costs

What will you actually pay?

Tuition & Fees

$9,796

In-State

/

$17,692

Out-of-State

Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals

Room & Board

$10,256

Books & Supplies

$2,000

Total Cost of Attendance

$23,704

After Financial Aid

$19,092

Average Net Price

Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships

Net Price (family income <$30K)

$20,070

Receive Grants

48.7%

Take Loans

43.8%

The full cost of attendance is about $23,704/yr for in-state students, including $10,256 for room and board. After aid, most pay around $19,092. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $17,692.

Financial Aid

Who gets aid and what happens after

Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Lincoln University fund their education.

While in School

48.7%

Get Grants

Free money

43.8%

Take Loans

Must repay

$24,957

Median Family Income

After Graduation

$28,875

Median Debt at Graduation

Total federal loan balance when students graduate

$306/mo

Monthly Payment

0%

Low

Default Rate

Graduates leave with $28,875 in median debt, above the national average. Explore all scholarship and aid options, and consider your expected earnings in your chosen field.

Student Body

Diversity, gender, and enrollment

From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Lincoln University.

Gender

57.9%

Female

/

42%

Male

Female to Male Ratio

Race & Ethnicity

49.9%
28.7%
8%
4.4%
3.9%
0.7%
Black
White
International
Multiracial
Hispanic
Asian

Enrollment

1,392

Undergraduate Students

Student Profile

128

Graduates

37.9%

First-Gen

21 yrs

Avg Age

12.5%

Age 25+

Women make up the majority at 58% of the student body. 37.9% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 8% international students add diversity to the campus.

Campus Life

What it's like to be a student here

Campus Setting

RuralCity
City: Small

City: Small

Campus Quick Facts

1,392

Students

public

Institution

Small

Campus Size

Baccalaureate

Classification

HBCU

What This College Offers

Semester calendar

Study Abroad

Yes

AP Credit

Yes

Teacher Cert

Yes

ROTC

Yes

Evening College

No

Online Programs

Yes

Job Placement

No

Career Counseling

Yes

Sports & Athletics

How seriously this college takes sport

Lincoln University fields 9 varsity teams with 349 student athletes, about 25% of the student body.

Division

NCAA

Division II with football

Conference

Mid-America

The league its teams compete in

Varsity Sports

9

Biggest: Football

Student Athletes

349

25% of the student body

Athletes by Gender

62% / 38%

216

Men

/

133

Women

7

Men's Teams

7

Women's Teams

Biggest Teams

MenWomen
69
Football
64
Soccer
50
Track (In)
50
Track (Out)
40
Softball

Every Varsity Team

Football69Soccer64Track and Field (Indoor)50Track and Field (Outdoor)50Softball40Basketball29Baseball25Golf12Cross Country10

After Graduation

What can you earn with this degree?

How much do graduates of Lincoln Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.

Earnings Trajectory

$39,463

Median Earnings · 10 Years After

$32K
6yr
$30K
8yr
$39K
10yr

Popular Programs

Top 6

Business Administration, Management and Operations

$39K

30 grads

1yr Earnings

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

22 grads

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$67K

22 grads

1yr Earnings

Criminal Justice and Corrections

$32K

20 grads

1yr Earnings

Psychology, General

$46K

16 grads

4yr Earnings

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

$21K

13 grads

1yr Earnings

Median earnings are $39K ten years after enrollment. Choosing a high-demand major can significantly boost your earning potential from here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lincoln University

How much does Lincoln University cost?
Tuition at Lincoln University is $9,796 for in-state students and $17,692 for out-of-state students. The full cost of attendance is about $23,704/yr for in-state students, including $10,256 for room and board. After aid, most pay around $19,092. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $17,692.
What is the graduation rate at Lincoln University?
Lincoln University has a graduation rate of 20.9%. The 14% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
How much do Lincoln University graduates earn?
The median earnings for Lincoln University graduates is $39,463 ten years after enrollment. Median earnings are $39K ten years after enrollment. Choosing a high-demand major can significantly boost your earning potential from here.

Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.