Lincoln Trail College: $4,390 Tuition

$4,390Tuition

360Students

47%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,533Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Lincoln Trail College

Lincoln Trail College serves small-town Illinois with practical career training and college prep programs. This community college enrolls just 360 students in Robinson, a rural town near the Indiana border. The Statesmen compete in eight NJCAA sports, giving student-athletes opportunities despite the college's modest size. Women make up 61% of students, and nearly all (94%) come from within Illinois. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means personalized attention in classrooms focused on getting students job-ready or transfer-ready.

Most students pay $8,719 after financial aid, making this one of Illinois' more affordable college options. Graduates with loans carry a manageable median debt of $6,500 with monthly payments around $69. Ten years after attending, median earnings hit $37,533. The employment rate of 95.7% shows strong job placement, though the 47% six-year completion rate reflects community college realities where many students attend part-time or stop out for work.

Athletic scholarships total $561,343 across 136 student-athletes, creating opportunities for talented players in small-town settings. The college distributes institutional grants to nearly half of students, averaging $7,169 per recipient. Only 31% receive Pell Grants, suggesting the student body includes many working-class families just above federal aid thresholds.

Academics & Faculty

Lincoln Trail College serves as southeastern Illinois's primary pathway to four-year universities and skilled careers. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in small classes where professors know students by name. Career and technical education programs dominate the curriculum, particularly nursing, automotive technology, and welding that connect directly to regional employers. About 47% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the mix of transfer students who leave for universities and career-focused students who enter the workforce quickly. The college emphasizes hands-on learning through partnerships with local healthcare systems and manufacturing companies. Strong developmental education support helps students build foundational skills for college-level coursework.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 27.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 46.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,533

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$20,140

View all 32 programs →

Campus Life

Lincoln Trail College sits in Robinson, Illinois, about 100 miles east of St. Louis and 45 miles west of Terre Haute, Indiana. The campus spans 80 acres in rural southeastern Illinois, where winters require heavy coats and summers bring humid heat. With just 360 students, you'll recognize faces quickly across the small campus. The college doesn't offer on-campus housing, so 94% of students are Illinois residents who commute from surrounding farming communities.

The Statesmen compete in eight NJCAA sports with 136 total athletes, making athletics a visible part of campus life. Nearly half of students receive institutional grants averaging $7,169, helping keep costs manageable for local families. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and track your progress personally. Weekends often revolve around baseball or basketball games, local events in Robinson's downtown square, or trips to larger cities. The employment rate hits 95.7%, reflecting the college's strong ties to regional employers and focus on workforce preparation. Social life stays low-key but tight-knit in this small-town setting.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1969

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 20°–38°F
July Avg: 65°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 42.5"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Lincoln Trail College draws students primarily from rural Illinois communities, with 94% coming from in-state. The student body skews female at 61%, reflecting strong nursing and allied health programs that attract women seeking healthcare careers. About one-third receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves working-class families looking for affordable pathways to stable employment. The predominantly white enrollment mirrors the demographics of southeastern Illinois farming communities. Students typically choose Lincoln Trail for its hands-on training programs and direct routes into local healthcare systems and technical industries.

Men: 38.6%
Women: 61.4%
White: 78.9%
Black: 5.0%
Hispanic: 9.4%
Asian: 0.8%
In-State Students: 94.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.3%

Location

Robinson sits in southeastern Illinois, about 90 miles southeast of Springfield and 180 miles from Chicago. This small town of roughly 7,400 people exemplifies rural Illinois farming country, surrounded by corn and soybean fields that stretch to the horizon. The college draws 94% of its students from within Illinois, reflecting its role as a local educational anchor in Crawford County. Robinson maintains that classic small-town atmosphere where everyone knows each other, far removed from urban distractions. The nearest significant city is Evansville, Indiana, about 50 miles southeast. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Lincoln Trail College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Robinson, Illinois 62454

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,533
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,867
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 59.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $69/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Lincoln Trail College?

Lincoln Trail College maintains open enrollment as a community college, meaning qualified applicants are admitted without competitive selection. The college serves 360 students with a focus on providing accessible education to the local rural Illinois community. Most students come from in-state, with 94% being Illinois residents.

How much does Lincoln Trail College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,719 after aid, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,193 on average, while those earning over $110,000 pay $12,741. Nearly half of students receive institutional grants averaging $7,169.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Lincoln Trail College?

The college maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, providing relatively personalized attention in small classes. This intimate academic environment helps support the rural student population seeking career training or transfer preparation. The college focuses on hands-on learning and direct faculty mentorship.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Lincoln Trail College?

Graduates achieve a strong 95.7% employment rate, reflecting the college's emphasis on workforce preparation. Alumni earn a median of $37,533 ten years after graduation, competitive for a rural two-year college. The 46.6% six-year completion rate includes students who transfer to four-year institutions.

Where is Lincoln Trail College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Robinson, Illinois, a rural-fringe community that offers a close-knit campus environment. Women make up 61% of the student body, typical for many community colleges. The Statesmen compete in 8 NJCAA sports with 136 total athletes receiving $561,343 in athletic scholarships.

How affordable are student loans at Lincoln Trail College?

Only 9.4% of students take federal loans, keeping debt burdens low with a median of $6,500 upon graduation. Monthly loan payments average just $69, making repayment manageable for working graduates. The 59% loan repayment rate reflects the financial challenges some rural students face despite the low debt levels.