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Verdict
Quantitative factor alignment verified for current market regime.
Quant Score
Rank
#290
Positioning
Market Dominance
Services
Personal Services
$743M
Scott M. Shaw
Lincoln Educational Services Corporation provides career-oriented education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates 22 schools in 14 states under the Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Culinary Institute, Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences, and other brand names. As of December 31, 2021, it had 13,059 students enrolled at 22 campuses.
Headcount
2.1K
HQ Base
WEST ORANGE, New Jersey
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X-AXIS: EV/EBITDA (LOWER = CHEAPER) | Y-AXIS: ROE (HIGHER = ELITE) | RED CIRCLE = LINC ANALYSIS TARGET
| Stock | Rating | Score▼ | Quality | Value | Momentum | P/E | EV/EBITDA | ROE | ROA | Gross Mgn | Op Mgn | Net Mgn | Rev Growth | Div Yield | D/E | Mkt Cap | AUDIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$YALA Yalla Group Ltd | 75 | 89 | 99 | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$GRVY GRAVITY Co., Ltd. | 75 | 82 | 96 | 71 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$ISSC INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT INC | 73 | 81 | 88 | 94 | 25.0x | 14.1x | 17.1% | 10.3% | 35.5% | 14.6% | 10.1% | 105.2% | 0.0% | 41.0x | $244M | VS | |
$AER AerCap Holdings N.V. | 72 | 60 | 87 | 84 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$HCSG HEALTHCARE SERVICES GROUP INC | 72 | 74 | 88 | 88 | 7.1x | 6.1x | 28.9% | 20.8% | 20.8% | 9.9% | 9.3% | 8.5% | 0.0% | 1.0x | $1.2B | VS | |
$LQDT LIQUIDITY SERVICES INC | 72 | 90 | 88 | 68 | 24.9x | 14.3x | 14.1% | 8.3% | 45.7% | 8.5% | 6.2% | 28.1% | 0.0% | 0.0x | $736M | VS | |
$TRTNpA Triton International Ltd | 71 | 70 | 89 | 70 | - | 1.7x | 0.0% | - | 97.4% | 58.0% | 37.4% | - | 8.8% | 264.0x | $2.5B | VS | |
$EDU New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. | 71 | 83 | 52 | 77 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$NTES NetEase, Inc. | 71 | 88 | 93 | 68 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$UTI UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE INC | 70 | 86 | 86 | 72 | 43.2x | 16.0x | 15.3% | 5.8% | 100.0% | 6.9% | 5.2% | 15.1% | 0.0% | 24.0x | $1.8B | VS | |
$LINC LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP | 65 | 61 | 48 | 90 | 84.3x | 51.5x | 6.0% | 2.4% | 59.2% | 3.7% | 2.3% | 37.4% | 0.0% | 151.0x | $743M | ||
| SECTOR BENCH | - | - | - | - | - | 23.7x | 11.7x | 5.7% | 2.4% | 64.6% | 4.5% | 2.8% | 8.6% | 0.0% | 0.3x | - | REF |
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) receives a "Hold" rating with a composite score of 64.9/100. It ranks #290 out of 7,333 stocks in our coverage universe and carries a 3-star rating. Ratings are driven by a 6-factor quantitative model measuring quality, value, momentum, investment, stability, and short interest.
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Outperforming peers — winners tend to keep winning over 3-12 months
Fair valuation relative to peers
High profitability & efficiency — strong quality floor supports entry
Low volatility — smoother ride and historically better risk-adjusted returns
Aggressive spending — empire-building risk, dilutive growth
Mid-range overall rating
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Relative valuation derived from Services sector benchmarks. Model weights: EV/EBITDA (40%), P/B (35%), P/S (25%). Re-calculated daily.
Projection based on user-defined inputs. Re-calculated daily against current market data.
Reverse DCF Framework — Mauboussin Methodology
Institutional-grade Reverse DCF analysis. This model identifies the growth hurdles embedded in current market prices. When implied growth is significantly lower than historical or projected rates, a margin of safety may exist. Re-audited daily.
No analyst ratings for LINC.
View All Ratings| Factor | Global | Sector | Tilt |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROFITABILITY | 61 | 76 | -15DRAG |
| MOMENTUM | 90 | 97 | -7DRAG |
| VALUATION | 48 | 49 | -1NEUTRAL |
| INVESTMENT | 25 | 14 | +11ALPHA |
| STABILITY | 71 | 77 | -6DRAG |
| SHORT INT | 64 | 80 | -16DRAG |
Global = full universe. Sector = relative to industry peers. Positive tilt indicates idiosyncratic strength.
ROE proxy 6.0% (sector 5.7%)
GM 59% vs sector 65%, OM 4% vs sector 5%
Capital turnover N/A
Rev growth 37%, 10yr history
Interest coverage 6.3x, Net debt/EBITDA -0.9x
Composite assessment of profitability, capital efficiency, and financial strength. Top-tier entities demonstrate sustainable cash flow generation and elite competitive moats.
Profit generated per dollar of shareholder equity
Efficiency of asset utilization
Pricing power and cost efficiency
Core business profitability
Bottom-line profitability
The Quality factor evaluates the persistence and magnitude of realized cash flows. Companies with scores >70 exhibit superior pricing power and structural financial resilience through diverse economic regimes.
Our uncertainty rating tracks the predictability of future cash flows and potential for permanent capital loss. Moderate visibility with standard industry cyclicality.
We rate LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) as a Hold with a composite score of 64.9/100 at a current price of $35.01. The stock presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to warrant new accumulation nor weak enough to justify selling.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP holds a mid-tier position (#34 of 50) within the Services sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 64.9/100 places it at rank #290 in our full universe.
The near-term outlook is constructive, with revenue growing at 37% and momentum in the 90th percentile confirming positive market sentiment. The combination of strong top-line growth and favorable price dynamics suggests the company is executing well on its growth strategy.
Narrow
Medium
Poor
Fair Value
Gross margins of 59% signal strong pricing power.
Positive momentum indicates institutional accumulation.
Stable competitive position in a defensive sector.
Elevated P/E ratio of 84.3x leaves little room for execution misses.
Leverage of 151% D/E amplifies downside risk.
Vulnerability to macroeconomic shocks and interest rate volatility.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP represents a hold based on multi-factor quantitative performance.
Our model assigns LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP a Hold rating, with a composite score of 64.9/100 and 3 out of 5 stars. Ranked #290 of 7,333 stocks, LINC presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to initiate new positions nor weak enough to warrant selling. Investors already holding may consider maintaining their position while monitoring for changes in the factor profile.
With a quality score of 61/100, LINC shows adequate but unremarkable business quality. The company reports a return on equity of 6.0% (sector avg: 5.7%), gross margins of 59.2% (sector avg: 64.6%), net margins of 2.3% (sector avg: 2.8%). This suggests the company generates acceptable returns but may lack the competitive positioning or operational efficiency to stand out from peers.
With a value score of 48/100, LINC appears somewhat expensive relative to its fundamentals. Key valuation metrics include a P/E ratio of 84.30x, an EV/EBITDA of 51.55x, a P/B ratio of 5.10x. Investors paying a premium here are likely betting on above-average growth or margin expansion to justify current prices.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP's investment score of 25/100 suggests limited reinvestment activity. Key growth metrics include revenue growth of 37.4% vs. a sector average of 8.6% and a return on assets of 2.4% (sector: 2.4%). While this can be positive for mature, cash-generative businesses returning capital to shareholders, it may also signal a lack of growth opportunities or management conservatism.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) is exhibiting exceptional momentum with a score of 90/100, placing it among the strongest trending stocks in the market. Revenue growth stands at 37.4% year-over-year, while a beta of 0.79 reflects its sensitivity to broader market moves. Stocks with momentum scores this high have historically outperformed over the following 3–12 months, suggesting LINC may continue to benefit from strong institutional interest and positive price trends.
LINC shows good financial stability with a score of 71/100. Key stability metrics include a beta of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 151.00x (sector avg: 0.3x). This suggests manageable leverage and moderate price volatility, making it appropriate for investors seeking a balance between growth potential and capital preservation.
LINC carries a short interest score of 64/100, indicating moderate short selling activity. This is a neutral reading — not enough to signal systemic bearishness, but worth monitoring. Specific risk factors include elevated leverage (D/E: 151.00x), small-cap liquidity risk. At $743M market cap (small-cap), LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP offers reasonable institutional liquidity.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP is a small-cap company in the Services sector, ranked #34 of 50 in its sector (32nd percentile) and #290 of 7,333 overall (96th percentile). Key comparisons include ROE of 6.0% exceeding the 5.7% sector median and operating margins of 3.7% below the 4.5% sector average. This below-median ranking suggests LINC faces competitive challenges relative to stronger Services peers.
While LINC currently exhibits a HOLD profile, superior opportunities exist within the SERVICES sector. Our model identifies several "Strong Buy" candidates with higher quality scores and more attractive valuations among direct industry competitors.
View Top Services Alpha →Quant Factor Profile
Key factor gap
Momentum (90) vs Investment (25) — closing this gap could shift the rating.
RANK #34 OF 50 IN CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY
EV/EBITDA 339% ABOVE SECTOR MEDIAN
ROE 5% ABOVE SECTOR MEDIAN (FAVORABLE)
Gross Margin 8% BELOW SECTOR MEDIAN
Above 50MA
37.18%
Net New Highs
+51081
Lincoln Educational (LINC) stock jumped 1.9% after Barrington Research raised its price target from $25 to $27 and maintained an Outperform rating, indicating confidence in the company's growth potential. This positive analyst action provided a favorable signal for investors, despite the stock cooling slightly after an initial pop. The company's shares had previously gained 3.5% due to hopes for an interest rate cut bolstered by comments from a Federal Reserve official.
Lincoln Educational Services has provided a stellar 283% return to investors over the last three years, despite a recent 6.1% dip. While the company's earnings per share have decreased by 18% annually during this period, revenue has grown by 12% per year, suggesting a focus on growth over immediate earnings. The article recommends looking into analyst forecasts and potential warning signs for a deeper understanding of the company's future prospects.
Lincoln Educational (NASDAQ:LINC) reported strong Q4 CY2025 results, with revenue exceeding analyst expectations by 6.9% and a significant 19.7% year-on-year increase. The company also provided optimistic full-year revenue guidance for 2026, surpassing analyst estimates, although its EPS guidance for 2026 missed estimates. Operating margin and free cash flow margin both improved year-over-year, and enrolled students increased by 1,908.
Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ: LINC) is set to release its Q4 earnings, with analysts expecting a rise in EPS to 42 cents and revenue to $131.62 million. This follows the company's better-than-expected Q3 results and increased FY25 sales guidance. Several analysts have maintained "Outperform" or "Buy" ratings, raising their price targets for the stock.
Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ: LINC) is celebrating the grand opening of its Houston campus on February 18, 2026. The campus offers hands-on training in automotive, welding, electrical, and HVAC programs to address the projected need for over 240,000 skilled trade jobs in Texas by 2032. This new location aims to provide a continuous supply of qualified technicians to employers across the Houston area and is Lincoln Tech's second campus in Texas.