At $5,294/yr net price, Lincoln Land Community College graduates earn $38,479/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,479/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,294 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,176 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,479/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,479/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,011 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,461/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,389/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,206/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,692/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,380/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,107 | $14,910 |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $41,937 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,565 | $17,247 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $37,208 | $9,910 |
| Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. | Associate | $34,530 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $29,141 | $7,445 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $24,267 | $10,750 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $24,035 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
42.5% of students at Lincoln Land Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lincoln Land Community College keeps costs low and debt light. At about $5,294 a year net and roughly $11,000 in median debt at graduation, you leave with less to pay back than one year of median earnings covers. That matters more here than the middling $38,479 median salary, because low debt means low downside if things don't work out.
The associate degree in Registered Nursing is the clear winner. It pays over $52,000 and feeds directly into Springfield's hospital and healthcare demand, and even with about $14,910 in debt, the math works fast. Allied Health Diagnostic professions is the next tier down near $41,565, but that program carries the heaviest debt on the list at $17,247, so the payoff is thinner. The Ground Transportation certificate earns close to $42,000 on just $5,500 of debt, one of the strongest cost-to-earnings ratios you'll find here.
The soft spot is the Liberal Arts and Sciences associate degree at $37,208. If you stop there without transferring to a four-year school, you've spent time and money for below-median earnings. Treat it as a transfer stepping stone, not an endpoint.
The 42.5% graduation rate is the real risk. Debt only pays off if you finish, and more than half of students don't complete on time. If you're not confident you'll finish, the low sticker price won't protect you.
If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $1,461 a year, and the school is close to free. Even at over $110,000 in income, you top out around $11,380. This is a strong financial fit if you're headed into nursing, allied health, or a trade certificate. If you want a bachelor's-level career, use it to transfer and keep your costs down early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln Land Community College worth the money?
At $5,294 per year, Lincoln Land Community College offers solid value for career-focused programs like nursing and criminal justice, which lead to $52,000+ salaries. However, the 42.5% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and general studies graduates earn only $37,208 annually.
What are the best paying programs at Lincoln Land Community College?
Nursing and criminal justice programs at Lincoln Land Community College both lead to median earnings of $52,107 ten years after graduation. Ground transportation and allied health programs also pay well at around $42,000, while liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $37,208.
How much debt do Lincoln Land Community College graduates have?
Lincoln Land Community College graduates carry a median debt of $11,011, which is manageable for nursing and criminal justice majors earning $52,000+ but creates payment challenges for liberal arts graduates earning $37,208.
What is the graduation rate at Lincoln Land Community College?
Only 42.5% of students graduate from Lincoln Land Community College, meaning more than half don't complete their programs. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without getting a degree.