Rhode Island School of Design vs Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln: which has better ROI?
Rhode Island School of Design has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $202,028 in 10.2 years versus not at all at Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln, on median earnings of $68,140 vs $31,914 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rhode Island School of Design | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $50,507 | $27,578 |
| Total net cost | $202,028 | $110,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,140 | $31,914 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $10,521 |
| Payback | 10.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $193,572 | -$439,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rhode Island School of Design or Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln, at $27,578 a year after aid versus $50,507 — a gap of $22,929 a year, or $91,716 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rhode Island School of Design or Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln graduates earn more?
Rhode Island School of Design graduates report a median $68,140 ten years after entry, $36,226 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, Rhode Island School of Design or Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $10,521 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Rhode Island School of Design, a difference of $16,479. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Rhode Island School of Design, against 63% at Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln. 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.