At $30,391/yr net price, Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie graduates earn $46,396/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,396/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,391 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $121,564 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,396/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,396/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,730 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $29,763/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,781/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $30,633/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,947/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,985/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $37,392 | $12,000 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $36,234 | $14,069 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $34,315 | $8,866 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $32,845 | $12,532 |
The Risk Factor
72.4% of students at Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie delivers poor financial returns that struggle to justify its high costs. With a net price of $30,391 annually and median graduate earnings of just $46,396 after ten years, you face a challenging payback period that makes this investment questionable for most students.
The earnings data reveals significant problems across all major programs. Vehicle maintenance graduates earn $37,392 annually while carrying $12,000 in debt, creating a debt-to-income ratio that signals financial stress. Environmental control technology offers similar weak returns at $36,234 with higher debt loads of $14,069. Even the best-performing program falls well short of what you need to comfortably service educational debt.
Your biggest risk here is the mismatch between program costs and regional salary expectations in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The school's 72% graduation rate means nearly three in ten students leave without credentials, making their debt burden particularly devastating. The job market for skilled trades in Texas offers opportunities, but this school's graduates enter at salary levels that make the educational investment hard to recover.
This school works financially only if you can minimize borrowing through significant family support or employer sponsorship. If you need to finance most of your education, community college automotive programs or direct apprenticeships offer better financial outcomes. The 59% of students receiving financial aid suggests limited merit scholarship opportunities that could improve the value proposition.
Consider this school only if you have clear employer connections guaranteeing higher starting wages than the typical graduate achieves. Otherwise, the combination of high costs and modest earnings makes this a risky financial choice in a region with better training alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie worth the cost?
With a net price of $30,391 per year and median earnings of $46,396 after graduation, graduates typically see a modest return on investment. The relatively low median debt of $11,730 helps, but earning potential varies significantly by program.
Which programs at Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie have the best ROI?
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies offers the highest earning potential at $37,392 annually, followed by Environmental Control Technologies at $36,234. Precision Metal Working graduates earn around $34,315, which is closer to the national average for trade programs.
What is the job market like for Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie graduates?
The 72% graduation rate is solid for a technical college, and automotive and HVAC fields typically offer steady employment. However, starting salaries in the mid-$30,000s may make it challenging to quickly pay off educational costs in an expensive metro area like Dallas.
How much debt do Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie students typically graduate with?
The median debt of $11,730 is relatively manageable compared to four-year colleges. Most graduates should be able to handle monthly loan payments on typical starting salaries, though higher earners in vehicle maintenance programs will have an easier time.