Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lincoln University

Lincoln University's nursing program produces graduates earning nearly $10,000 less than Pennsylvania's median for nursing programs—landing at the 40th percentile statewide. While $68,662 represents a solid middle-class income, it trails not just elite programs like Villanova and Drexel, but also the typical Pennsylvania nursing graduate by a meaningful margin. This gap matters in a state with 52 nursing programs competing for the same hospital jobs.

The $31,000 debt load sits slightly above both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 that's manageable but unremarkable. Lincoln serves a predominantly Pell Grant population (66%), and for students from these backgrounds, the program does deliver entry to a stable profession with decent starting pay. The real question is whether the earnings trajectory improves—nursing salaries typically rise with experience and specialization, but this program's graduates start behind their Pennsylvania peers.

For families weighing options, this comes down to cost and alternatives. If Lincoln offers significantly lower tuition than Pennsylvania's stronger performers, the earnings gap might be worth accepting. But if you're paying similar amounts, programs that place graduates $15,000-20,000 higher annually could repay that investment within a few years. The program works as a path into nursing; it's just not Pennsylvania's most competitive one.