Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
78.4% Acceptance Rate
Lincoln University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.4%Acceptance Rate
3.06Avg GPA
984Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$27,358Annual Cost
$43,167Grad Salary
66.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.4%
Avg GPA
3.06
Avg SAT
984
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
870–1050
ACT Middle 50%
18–22
Avg Net Price
$12,912
Need-Based Aid
66.3% receive Pell
Lincoln University is a public, historically Black, research-intensive institution in Pennsylvania known for its long history of academic excellence and commitment to social justice. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a culture of critical inquiry, leadership, and professional preparation. Its focus on empowering students to make a positive impact in their communities makes it a high-value choice for those seeking a transformative and world-class educational experience.
Lincoln University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Lincoln University is inclusive by design. 78.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 78.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.06 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.86 – 3.05
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.61
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lincoln University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Lincoln University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 175 days left — Priority Freshman
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Lincoln University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority Freshman
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lincoln University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lincoln University is 3.06. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.26–3.46.Lincoln University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.06 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.86 – 3.05
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.66 – 2.85
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.65
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Lincoln University of Pennsylvania is the nation's first degree-granting HBCU, founded in 1854 as Ashmun Institute; admissions are open to all students today.
- Undergraduate admission requires no personal essay or letters of recommendation and charges no application fee; several of Lincoln's own graduate programs (MBA, MAHS) require both.
- Rolling admission includes priority deadlines of May 1 (fall) and November 1 (spring), which affect on-campus housing and financial aid packaging, not just decision timing.
- Freshmen are not permitted to have cars on campus, and there is no direct public transportation to the university's rural Southern Chester County location.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lincoln University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lincoln University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lincoln University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Lincoln University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Lincoln University Without SAT or ACT?
Lincoln University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lincoln University Average SAT Score: 984
Admitted students at Lincoln University average a 984 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 984 — Accessible
A 984 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1050 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lincoln University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 870? A retake is worth it at Lincoln University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 470 | 420 | 520 |
| SAT Reading | 490 | 450 | 530 |
| SAT Composite | 984 | 870 | 1050 |
A score under 870 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1050+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Lincoln University with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in Lincoln University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Lincoln University ACT Requirements
Lincoln University's admitted students average an ACT of 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
An average of 20 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 21 |
| ACT English | 19 | 17 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 18 | 22 |
Can I get into Lincoln University with a 22 ACT?
At 22, you're in the top quarter of Lincoln University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Lincoln University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lincoln University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Lincoln University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Skip the essay stress for undergrad - but know graduate programs flip this rule entirely
Lincoln's undergraduate admission explicitly does not require a personal essay or letters of recommendation, though supporting materials are welcomed - but several of Lincoln's own graduate programs (MBA, MAHS) require both an essay and two letters of recommendation. If you're a Lincoln undergraduate eyeing one of Lincoln's own graduate programs later, don't assume the light undergraduate application process previews what you'll need for graduate admission - start building recommender relationships well before you apply to the graduate program.
Apply by the priority deadline even though admission is rolling - it affects housing and aid, not just decision speed
Lincoln's rolling admission has priority deadlines of May 1 (fall) and November 1 (spring), and applying by these dates specifically improves your odds of securing on-campus housing and a stronger financial aid package - not just an earlier decision. Because Lincoln charges no application fee at all, there's no cost barrier to applying well before the priority deadline, so treat "rolling" as a reason to apply early, not late.
Weigh the BSN's real cost differential against Lincoln's typical price point before committing
Lincoln's Nursing Pre-licensure BSN program carries a notably higher cost structure (in-state around $40,870, out-of-state around $68,564) compared to Lincoln's general undergraduate tuition - a significant jump specific to the nursing program's resource-intensive clinical and simulation requirements. If nursing is your goal, build your financial aid and scholarship search specifically around this higher program-level cost rather than budgeting from Lincoln's general tuition figures.
Plan your first-year transportation around the no-car policy
Freshmen are not permitted to have cars on campus, and Lincoln provides no campus transportation, with no direct public transit to the university - a real logistical constraint in Lincoln's rural Southern Chester County location. Arrange transportation plans (rides from upperclassmen, family visits, or off-campus transportation services requiring advance reservations) for your entire first year before you arrive, rather than assuming you can simply bring a car if needed.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss financial planning mistake is budgeting for Lincoln's Nursing Pre-licensure BSN program using the university's general tuition figures - the nursing program's published in-state and out-of-state costs are substantially higher than Lincoln's typical undergraduate tuition, and a student who doesn't check the program-specific cost sheet before enrolling can be caught off guard by the difference.
Lincoln University Profile
Full Name
Lincoln University
City
Lincoln University
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19352-0999
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Lincoln University Degree Worth It?
At $27,358/year against a $43,167 median graduate salary, Lincoln University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $51,400, and graduates see a 5.98% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Lincoln University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $27,358/year at Lincoln University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $12,912.
At Lincoln University, 66.3% receive a Pell Grant and 83.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Lincoln University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Lincoln University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Lincoln University graduates report a median income of $43,167, about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lincoln University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lincoln University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lincoln University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Lincoln University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln University Admissions
Lincoln University graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,167/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Lincoln University is relatively affordable, around $27,358/year.
66.3% of Lincoln University students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Lincoln University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Lincoln University's acceptance rate is 78.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lincoln University students is 3.06, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.76 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lincoln University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.66 or below makes admission tougher at Lincoln University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Lincoln University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 984, and within the 870–1050 range, keeps you competitive.
Lincoln University's deadline is February 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Lincoln University charges an application fee of 20; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Lincoln University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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