LINC
Consumer DefensiveLincoln Educational Services Corporation · Education & Training Services · $2B
What is Lincoln Educational Services Corporation?
Lincoln Educational Services Corporation operates a network of career-focused schools across the United States, training students in skilled trades, healthcare, and technology fields. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, the company serves high school graduates and working adults.
Lincoln Educational runs 22 campuses in 14 states under several brand names, including Lincoln Technical Institute and Lincoln College of Technology. The company earns revenue primarily through tuition for certificate, diploma, and associate's degree programs. Its two operating segments are Transportation and Skilled Trades, and Healthcare and Other Professions. Students gain hands-on training in fields where employer demand for credentialed workers remains consistent.
Lincoln Educational was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
- Automotive and transportation technology programs
- Skilled trades training: electrical, welding, HVAC, and CNC
- Health sciences: nursing, dental, and medical assistant programs
- Culinary, cosmetology, and hospitality programs
- Information technology and electronic systems programs
Is LINC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates LINC as Below Average overall.
Among the five pillars, Growth stands out as the relative bright spot, reflecting expanding enrollment trends and the company's ongoing campus investment strategy. Valuation registers as Neutral, meaning the stock is not obviously mispriced relative to its current fundamentals.
Quality, Moat, and Risk all carry Weak ratings — pointing to limited competitive differentiation, thin financial resilience, and structural vulnerabilities common in the for-profit education sector.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does LINC pay dividends?
No — Lincoln Educational Services Corporation does not currently pay a dividend.
LINC does not currently pay a dividend. For-profit education companies at Lincoln's scale typically reinvest available capital into campus infrastructure, program development, and accreditation compliance rather than returning cash to shareholders. Investors seeking income from this sector should look elsewhere.
When does LINC report earnings?
Lincoln Educational Services reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Results have reflected the company's ongoing effort to grow enrollment and manage operating costs across its campus network. Revenue trends are tied closely to student starts, which can shift with labor market conditions and regulatory changes affecting for-profit schools.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Lincoln Educational Services' investor relations page directly.
LINC Price History
+418.2% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Lincoln Educational Services Corporation?
Based on Lincoln Educational Services Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
LINC Long-term Outlook
The Growth pillar rating suggests Lincoln is making measurable forward progress, likely driven by demand for skilled-trade credentials in a tight labor market. However, the Weak Risk rating tempers the outlook — regulatory scrutiny of for-profit education and dependence on Title IV federal funding introduce meaningful uncertainty. The Neutral Valuation pillar indicates the market has not yet priced in a strong recovery thesis, leaving the risk-reward profile mixed.
Growth drivers
- Rising employer demand for credentialed skilled-trade and healthcare workers
- Ongoing campus expansion and program modernization investments
- Growing adult learner population seeking career transitions
Key risks
- Regulatory and accreditation risk specific to for-profit education
- Heavy reliance on federal student aid programs
- Competitive pressure from community colleges and online training platforms
LINC vs Peers
Lincoln Educational operates in a fragmented post-secondary education market alongside both domestic and international peers.
Youdao focuses on technology-driven online learning in China, contrasting with Lincoln's campus-based, hands-on vocational model in the US.
Afya is a Brazilian medical education platform serving healthcare professionals, operating in a different regulatory and geographic environment than Lincoln.
APEI targets military-affiliated and public-service students primarily through online delivery, while Lincoln emphasizes in-person, trade-focused instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lincoln Educational Services do?
Lincoln Educational Services operates career-focused schools across 22 campuses in 14 US states. The company offers certificate, diploma, and associate's degree programs in skilled trades, healthcare, culinary arts, and information technology, primarily serving high school graduates and working adults seeking job-ready credentials.
Does LINC pay dividends?
No, LINC does not currently pay a dividend. The company reinvests available capital into campus operations, program development, and infrastructure rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Income-focused investors may find this sector generally light on dividend payers.
When does LINC report earnings?
Lincoln Educational reports on a standard quarterly schedule. Specific dates vary each cycle. For the most accurate and up-to-date earnings calendar, check the investor relations section of the company's official website.
Is LINC a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates LINC as Below Average, reflecting Weak scores across Quality, Moat, and Risk pillars. Growth is the one relative strength. Whether that profile fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is LINC overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for LINC is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is not dramatically mispriced in either direction relative to current fundamentals. Valuation context is most useful when read alongside the Quality and Growth pillars — see the complete analysis on UQS Pro.
How does LINC compare to its competitors?
LINC competes in a fragmented post-secondary education market. Peers like American Public Education focus on online delivery for military students, while Afya and Youdao operate in international markets. Lincoln's differentiator is its campus-based, hands-on vocational training model within the United States.
What is LINC's market cap bracket?
LINC is classified as a small-cap stock. Small-cap companies typically carry higher volatility and liquidity risk than large- or mega-cap peers, which is a relevant consideration when evaluating the Risk pillar alongside the overall UQS Score.
Who founded Lincoln Educational Services?
Lincoln Educational traces its roots to 1946, making it one of the longer-standing vocational education providers in the United States. Detailed founding history and leadership information is publicly available through the company's official investor relations materials.
Is LINC a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates LINC as Below Average. The Weak Moat and Risk ratings suggest limited durable competitive advantages and meaningful structural vulnerabilities. Long-term investors typically look for stronger Quality and Moat scores as indicators of sustained value creation.
What is the main competitive advantage of Lincoln Educational?
Lincoln's primary differentiation lies in its established campus network and brand recognition in hands-on vocational training. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting the competitive pressure from community colleges, online platforms, and other for-profit education providers.
What sector does LINC belong to?
LINC is classified under the Consumer Defensive sector. While post-secondary education can exhibit some demand stability — particularly for trade credentials tied to essential industries — the for-profit education sub-sector carries its own regulatory and cyclical risks.
Is LINC a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, LINC shows a Good Growth rating but a Neutral Valuation rating. That combination places it in an in-between position — not a classic deep-value play, but also not a high-quality growth compounder given the Weak Quality and Moat scores.
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Pro Analysis
LINC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 40.7 | 35.5 | 24.0 | 76.3 | 27.0 | 43.3 | +0.2 |
| May 14, 2026 | 40.5 | 35.5 | 24.0 | 76.3 | 27.0 | 41.9 | -0.8 |
| May 12, 2026 | 41.3 | 35.4 | 24.0 | 75.7 | 34.0 | 41.5 | +2.7 |
| May 10, 2026 | 38.6 | 6.2 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 49.4 | 58.6 | -0.1 |
| May 8, 2026 | 38.7 | 6.2 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 49.4 | 59.0 | -1.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 39.8 | 33.9 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 26.6 | 42.9 | -0.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 40.0 | 33.9 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 26.6 | 44.4 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 40.1 | 33.9 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 26.6 | 44.9 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 40.0 | 33.9 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 26.6 | 44.1 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 40.1 | 33.9 | 24.0 | 74.4 | 26.6 | 44.7 | -2.4 |
LINC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 35.5/100 (25%)Lincoln Educational Services Corporation has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 76.3/100 (20%)Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 27.0/100 (15%)Lincoln Educational Services Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 43.1/100 (15%)Lincoln Educational Services Corporation has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 24/100 (25%)Lincoln Educational Services Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for LINC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the LINC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Lincoln Educational Services Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.