Information Science/Studies at Lincoln University

The national benchmark for information science programs suggests first-year earnings around $58,651, but the four-year earnings figure of $42,923 for this program reveals a troubling trajectory—graduates appear to be earning less as they gain experience, not more. This backward pattern raises serious questions about the types of jobs Lincoln's graduates are securing and whether they're finding positions that align with their training.

Comparable programs nationally carry about $25,000 in debt, which would normally be manageable for the field. However, when paired with declining earnings over time, that debt becomes harder to justify. Missouri's stronger programs—particularly at Missouri S&T, where graduates earn $65,393—demonstrate what information science credentials can deliver in this state's job market. The gap suggests Lincoln's program may not be providing the same competitive advantage.

With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are banking on upward mobility that these numbers don't promise. The earnings decline between years one and four is the critical red flag. Before committing, you need to understand why graduates' salaries are moving in the wrong direction and whether the program has plans to address whatever gap in curriculum, career services, or industry connections is causing it.