Head-to-head comparison
Lincoln University vs Cottey College: which has better ROI?
Option A Jefferson City, MO
Lincoln University
- Net price / year
- $19,092
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,463
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Nevada, MO
Cottey College
- Net price / year
- $13,805
- Earnings, 10 years
- $35,422
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lincoln University comes closer — median earnings $39,463 against a $76,368 total, vs $35,422 at Cottey College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lincoln University | Cottey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,092 | $13,805 |
| Total net cost | $76,368 | $55,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,463 | $35,422 |
| Median debt | $28,875 | $19,043 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$254,308 | -$313,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Lincoln University or Cottey College?
Cottey College, at $13,805 a year after aid versus $19,092 — a gap of $5,287 a year, or $21,148 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Lincoln University or Cottey College graduates earn more?
Lincoln University graduates report a median $39,463 ten years after entry, $4,041 more than the $35,422 at Cottey College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Lincoln University or Cottey College?
Cottey College: its completers carry a median $19,043 in federal loans versus $28,875 at Lincoln University, a difference of $9,832. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Cottey College, against 21% at Lincoln University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.