Johnson & Wales University-Online vs Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Johnson & Wales University-Online comes closer — median earnings $43,418 against a $81,008 total, vs $31,914 at Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Johnson & Wales University-Online | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,252 | $27,578 |
| Total net cost | $81,008 | $110,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,418 | $31,914 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $10,521 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$179,848 | -$439,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Johnson & Wales University-Online or Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln?
Johnson & Wales University-Online, at $20,252 a year after aid versus $27,578 — a gap of $7,326 a year, or $29,304 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Johnson & Wales University-Online or Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln graduates earn more?
Johnson & Wales University-Online graduates report a median $43,418 ten years after entry, $11,504 more than the $31,914 at Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Johnson & Wales University-Online or Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $10,521 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Johnson & Wales University-Online, a difference of $15,479. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln, against 0% at Johnson & Wales University-Online. 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.