Admit rate has ranged 66%–92% 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.
Lindenwood University, a mid-sized private institution in St. Charles, Missouri, blends accessibility with a sprawling academic menu—over 100 degree options—and a lively, if uneven, student experience. Known for its robust education and criminal justice programs, it attracts a mix of commuters and residential students, with graduation rates hovering around 50-60% and a notably high post-grad employment rate. Its acceptance rate swings wildly by source (52-87%), reflecting its evolving selectivity.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
High school transcript
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
4,624
In-state tuition
$21,600
Out-of-state tuition
$21,600
Location
Saint Charles, MO
Campus Housing
39% of students
Acceptance Rate
52-87% (varies by source)
Graduation Rate
49-60%
Avg First-Year Aid
$17,626
Post-Grad Employment
93.8%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,278
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.7×
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
Graduation rate
49%
First-year retention
66%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
52%
Pell (lower-income) share
58%
First-generation share
35%
Endowment / student
$34,421
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Criminology$59,883
Computer and Information Sciences, General$56,641
Fire Protection$48,041
Chemistry$46,673
Accounting and Related Services$46,478
Business/Commerce, General$45,118
Human Resources Management and Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
0.87
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
78
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
54.7"
Annual snow
14.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
74
Scholarly works
1,445
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
21%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Lindenwood University?
Lindenwood University's acceptance rate is approximately 57% (Saint Charles, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Lindenwood University cost?
At Lindenwood University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,638 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lindenwood University?
Lindenwood University enrolls approximately 4,624 undergraduate students.
Where is Lindenwood University located?
Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, MO.
Admissions
Lindenwood’s admissions landscape is a study in contradictions: sources report Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 52% (Niche) to 87.6% (AcceptanceRate.com), with College Board settling at 56.84%. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1010–1190 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT, with an average GPA of 3.36. Notably, 7,966 applied in a recent cycle, with 4,528 accepted and 4,663 enrolled—a YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate suggesting many admitted students choose alternatives. The university describes itself as 'moderately difficult' (CollegeData), though its high end of reported acceptance rates edges toward 'accessible.'
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.
$43,519
Finance and Financial Management Services$40,281
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.
Lindenwood’s academic portfolio is its strongest selling point, with over 100 degree and certificate programs spanning liberal arts to professional fields. Standouts include a top-tier undergraduate education program (praised for 'practical experience' and 'dedicated advising') and nationally ranked criminal justice (#85) and kinesiology (#142) programs. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning: 53% of students participate in service learning, though senior capstones are less common (24%). Retention rates lag at 65%, and graduation rates sit at 49% (4-year) to 60% (6-year), per federal data—hinting at academic support challenges. Reddit threads critique its '98% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.' as a potential drag on rigor, but niche programs defy this reputation.
A commuter-heavy campus (61% live off-campus) with a small residential core, Lindenwood leans on its Campus Activities Board to stitch together social life via 'cultural events' and student-run programming. TikTok vignettes showcase a scrappy, humorous campus culture—think dorm pranks and classroom banter—but the vibe is fragmented. Sports (NCAA Division I) and Greek life exist but aren’t dominant. The university touts 'values-centered education,' though specifics are vague beyond generic commitments to 'co-curricular activities.' With 39% in university housing, the school struggles to foster cohesion, but its St. Charles location offers easy access to St. Louis’s music and food scenes.
Lindenwood’s outcomes are a mixed bag. While 93.8% of grads land jobs or further education within six months (per university reports), median earnings are modest: $41,999 at one year post-grad, rising to $54,906 after five. Federal data shows a 57% graduation rate, but gender gaps are stark—56% for women vs. 45% for men. The 'median 10-year earnings' of $53,278 trail national averages for private colleges. Critics note its 66% retention rate as a red flag, though its employment outcomes suggest strong regional employer ties, particularly in education and criminal justice.
Tuition sits at $42,816 (CollegeData), but Lindenwood discounts aggressively: 95% of students receive aid, with 93% getting grants averaging $8,950. Need-based scholarships for first-years average $17,626, and 64% of freshmen qualify. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator hints at significant gaps between sticker and actual cost, though the university’s 'Financial Resilience' score is a dismal 40/100 (Ibex Insights). Scholarships target academics, athletics, and financial need, but the school’s aid packaging leans heavily on loans—a caution for debt-averse families.
Lindenwood’s paradox is its breadth over depth: it offers a dizzying array of programs (from American Studies minors to D1 athletics) but lacks the selectivity or resources to excel uniformly. Its education and criminal justice programs punch above their weight, leveraging St. Louis-area partnerships, while its high post-grad employment rate (94%) masks middling earnings. The campus vibe is 'try-hard but friendly'—perfect for students who want a low-pressure admissions process without sacrificing access to serious academics in niche fields. Just don’t expect the polish (or debt) of a elite private school.
Lindenwood University logo · sourceLindenwood University in St. Charles / St. Louis, Missouri · sourceVisit Campus | Lindenwood University · sourceLindenwood University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
