Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton vs Cortiva Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton comes closer — median earnings $38,683 against a $154,084 total, vs $34,866 at Cortiva Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton | Cortiva Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,521 | $34,436 |
| Total net cost | $154,084 | $137,744 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,683 | $34,866 |
| Median debt | $11,250 | $11,259 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$347,624 | -$407,624 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton or Cortiva Institute?
Cortiva Institute, at $34,436 a year after aid versus $38,521 — a gap of $4,085 a year, or $16,340 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 Technical Institute-Shelton or Cortiva Institute graduates earn more?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton graduates report a median $38,683 ten years after entry, $3,817 more than the $34,866 at Cortiva 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 Technical Institute-Shelton or Cortiva Institute?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton: its completers carry a median $11,250 in federal loans versus $11,259 at Cortiva Institute, a difference of $9. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at Cortiva Institute, against 65% at Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton. 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.