Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie comes closer — median earnings $46,396 against a $133,000 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie | Arlington Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,250 | $24,633 |
| Total net cost | $133,000 | $98,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,396 | $36,674 |
| Median debt | $11,730 | $8,347 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$172,280 | -$332,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie or Arlington Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute, at $24,633 a year after aid versus $33,250 — a gap of $8,617 a year, or $34,468 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie graduates report a median $46,396 ten years after entry, $9,722 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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, Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie or Arlington Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $11,730 at Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie, a difference of $3,383. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie, against 72% at Arlington Career Institute. 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.