
Lincoln University, PApublicwww.lincoln.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 78%–90% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Lincoln University, a historically Black institution in Pennsylvania, blends accessibility with a tight-knit campus culture. Known for its modest selectivity (65% acceptance rate) and strong Greek life, it offers practical programs in fields like biology and political science, though graduation rates lag behind national averages. Financial aid is widespread, with 95% of undergraduates receiving assistance.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Lincoln University maintains a moderately selective admissions process, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 61-66% according to multiple sources. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 850-1060 on the SAT, with an average high school GPA of 3.07. Notably, the university doesn't appear to require SAT/ACT scores for all applicants, making it accessible to a broader range of students.
Key stats:
Lincoln offers undergraduate and graduate programs across sciences, arts, criminal justice, journalism, teaching, nursing, and accounting. Popular majors include Biology/Biological Sciences (5% of students) and Political Science (5%), with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 enabling personalized attention. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills for career success, though the university doesn't appear in national rankings for academic prestige.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Notable aspects:
The university fosters a vibrant campus culture centered around Greek life and annual traditions like its distinctive Homecoming celebration. With a small undergraduate enrollment (223 students in fall 2023), the community is tight-knit. Student Life organizes frequent events including parties, concerts, and shows, while numerous clubs and organizations provide engagement opportunities.
Campus highlights:
Graduation rates at Lincoln are below national averages, with 6-year rates ranging from 27-30% for recent cohorts. Female students graduate at higher rates (34%) than males (23%). Median earnings 6 years post-graduation are approximately $32,865, with nursing graduates reporting $39,463 at 10 years. The university struggles with retention, with only 59.9% of students continuing past their first year.
Key metrics:
Financial support is widely available, with 95% of undergraduates receiving some form of assistance. Institutional scholarships or grants go to 40% of students. The university provides Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators to estimate costs after aid, though specific tuition figures aren't detailed in available sources. The focus on accessibility aligns with Lincoln's historical mission as an HBCU.
Financial highlights:
Lincoln University distinguishes itself through its historical LegacyAn applicant whose parent (or sometimes other close relative) attended the college. Some schools give a small edge to legacy applicants. as an HBCU, its unusually strong Greek culture, and its accessible admissions policies. The small campus fosters close relationships among students and faculty, while the career-focused curriculum provides practical preparation. However, the university faces challenges in student retention and graduation rates that temper its overall profile. For students seeking an intimate, tradition-rich HBCU experience with moderate academic demands, Lincoln offers a distinctive option.