At $24,334/yr net price, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park graduates earn $38,683/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,683/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,334 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $97,336 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,683/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,683/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 20.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,498/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,074/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,273/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,824/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,873/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $30,336 | $18,885 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $30,265 | $13,062 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $26,284 | $10,932 |
The Risk Factor
65.3% of students at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park is a hard financial sell. You pay around $24,000 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns under $39,000. That gap is the whole story: the net price for a two-year program approaches the annual salary you can expect afterward.
The programs here don't fix the math. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, the top earner, pays about $30,000 a year at either the associate or certificate level. Allied Health and Medical Assisting sits lower, near $26,000. None of these clear the earnings you'd need to comfortably justify the price. Note that the associate version of the auto program leaves you with roughly $6,000 more debt than the certificate ($18,885 vs $13,062) for essentially identical pay, so the extra time and cost buy you nothing on salary.
The one bright spot is debt. Median debt is $11,250, low enough that most of you won't be buried. The 65% graduation rate also means you have a real chance of finishing. The risk isn't dropping out with loans and no credential. it's finishing, paying the full sticker, and landing a job that pays like the one you could have gotten without the degree.
The net price barely moves by income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $23,500 a year. over $110,000, you pay about $27,900. There's no meaningful low-income discount here, so the price hits hardest on families with the least to spend.
This school makes sense for you only if you want a specific hands-on trade, especially auto tech, and you can keep costs down by choosing the certificate over the associate. If you're weighing broader earnings potential, the numbers point you toward a community college or a cheaper trade program instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park worth the cost?
With annual net costs of $24,334 and median earnings of $38,683 ten years after graduation, the ROI is modest. The relatively low median debt of $11,250 helps, but graduates earn less than many four-year college peers.
What are the best paying programs at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park?
Vehicle maintenance and repair programs lead with graduates earning around $30,300 annually. Allied health programs pay less at $26,284, making automotive the better financial choice at this school.
How much debt do Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park graduates have?
The median debt is $11,250, which is lower than many colleges. However, with starting salaries in the high $20,000s to low $30,000s, even this amount creates a significant payment burden.
Do Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park graduates find jobs?
The 65% graduation rate suggests many students don't complete their programs. For those who do graduate, the technical focus in automotive and healthcare provides clear career paths, though at modest pay levels.