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Lincoln Educational Services Corp (LINC) is a leading provider of specialized technical training. It focuses on high-demand skilled trades, including automotive technology, healthcare, and skilled manufacturing.
Investment Thesis
LINC is a structural beneficiary of the massive skilled labor shortage in the United States. As the cost of traditional four-year colleges skyrockets and the demand for technicians, welders, and nurses reaches record levels, Lincoln's vocational schools are seeing surging enrollment. Their corporate partnerships (with giants like Tesla and BMW) provide students with a clear path to high-paying jobs, creating a powerful marketing engine. Management has successfully rationalized their campus footprint and is now focusing on high-margin expansion. LINC is a rare 'socially positive' stock that also offers exceptional profitability and growth.
Key Growth Drivers
Unmet Demand for Skilled Trades
The structural deficit of technicians and healthcare workers in the U.S. provides Lincoln with a multi-decade tailwind for its training programs.
Strategic Corporate Partnerships
Deep integration with major industrial OEMs ensures Lincoln's curriculum is relevant and its graduates are in high demand, driving superior student outcomes.
Operating Margin Expansion
As campus utilization rates increase following recent modernization efforts, the company is demonstrating significant operating leverage.
Valuation & Financial Modeling
LINC trades at an attractive forward earnings multiple relative to its surging growth rate. We believe the market is still undervaluing the strategic importance of vocational education in a 're-shoring' economy. The stock offers substantial upside potential.
Risk Factors & Bear Case
Changes in federal student loan regulations or stricter accreditation standards for for-profit educators are the primary risks. Additionally, a severe economic downturn could temporarily deferred student enrollment.
Conclusion
Lincoln Educational Services is a best-in-class vocational trainer. It is a premier way to play the physical rebuilding of the American workforce. Rated 'Strong Buy'.
Upcoming Catalysts
No upcoming catalysts identified.
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Relative to Consumer Discretionary Sector Median (N=442)
Metric
LINC
Benchmark
P/E Ratio
113.9x
+365%
EV/EBITDA
69.6x
+1320%
Price / Book
6.4x
Implied Value Audit
OVERVALUED
Implied Fair Value (vs Sector)
-83.8%
$6.63Spot: $40.86
Spot
Implied
-50% Delta+50% Delta
Relative valuation derived from Consumer Discretionary sector median benchmarks. Model weights: EV/EBITDA (40%), P/B (35%), P/S (25%). Multiples adjusted for extreme outliers and non-recurring volatility.
Auditing capital efficiency...
Quality Profile Audit
Score: 50GRADE C+
Composite assessment of profitability, capital efficiency, and financial strength. Top-tier entities demonstrate sustainable cash flow generation.
Return on Equity
Profit generated per dollar of shareholder equity
5.6%
Sector: 6.2%
Dividend Analysis audit
No Dividend
This company does not currently pay a dividend.
Analyst Projections
Analyst Consensus
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Based on our 6-factor quantitative model, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) receives a "Hold" rating with a composite score of 51.8/100, ranked #224 out of 4446 stocks. Key factor scores: Quality 50/100, Value 48/100, Momentum 75/100. This is quantitative analysis only — not investment advice.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast
Company Overview — What Does LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP Do?
Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates in two segments: Transportation and Skilled Trades, and Healthcare and Other Professions. It offers associate's degree, and diploma and certificate programs in automotive technology; skilled trades programs, including electrical, heating and air conditioning repair, welding, computerized numerical control, and electrical and electronic systems technology; health science programs comprising nursing, dental and medical assistant, claim examiner, medical administrative assistant, etc.; hospitality services programs, such as culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology, and aesthetics; and information technology programs. 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. The company was founded in 1946 and is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) is classified as a small-cap stock in the Consumer Discretionary sector, specifically within the Personal Services industry. The company is led by CEO Scott M. Shaw and employs approximately 2,060 people, headquartered in WEST ORANGE, New Jersey. With a market capitalization of $1.3B, LINC is one of the notable companies in the Consumer Discretionary sector.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) Stock Rating — Hold (April 2026)
As of April 2026, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 51.8/100 and 3 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.LINC ranks #224 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Consumer Discretionary sector, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP ranks #10 of 442 stocks, placing it in the top 10% of its Consumer Discretionary peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).
LINC Stock Price and 52-Week Range
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) currently trades at $40.86. The stock gained $0.62 (1.5%) in the most recent trading session. The 52-week high for LINC is $40.19, which means the stock is currently trading 1.7% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $14.84, putting the stock 175.3% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 420K shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.
Is LINC Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) carries a value factor score of 48/100 in the Blank Capital model, indicating fair valuation relative to historical norms. The trailing price-to-earnings ratio is 113.88x, compared to the Consumer Discretionary sector average of 24.47x — a premium of 365%. The price-to-book ratio stands at 6.42x, versus the sector average of 1.99x. The price-to-sales ratio is 2.62x, compared to 0.27x for the average Consumer Discretionary stock. On an enterprise value basis, LINC trades at 69.64x EV/EBITDA, versus 4.91x for the sector.
Overall, LINC's valuation appears roughly in line with sector benchmarks, suggesting the market is pricing the stock fairly given its current fundamentals and growth trajectory. Neither deep value nor significantly overpriced, the stock occupies a middle ground on valuation.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) earns a quality factor score of 50/100, indicating solid business quality with consistent operational execution. The return on equity (ROE) is 5.6%, compared to the Consumer Discretionary sector average of 6.2%, which is below typical expectations for high-quality companies. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at 2.3% versus the sector average of 2.5%.
On a margin basis, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP reports gross margins of 59.2%, compared to 36.9% for the sector. The operating margin is 3.7% (sector: 3.8%). Net profit margin stands at 2.3%, versus 2.1% for the average Consumer Discretionary stock. Revenue growth is running at 37.4% on a trailing basis, compared to 3.3% for the sector. The overall profitability profile is adequate, though there may be room for margin expansion.
LINC Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP has a debt-to-equity ratio of 147.0%, compared to the Consumer Discretionary sector average of 89.0%. Leverage is within a manageable range for the industry, though investors should monitor debt trends over time. The current ratio is 0.86x, which may signal near-term liquidity tightness. Total debt on the balance sheet is $8M. Cash and equivalents stand at $13M.
LINC has a beta of 0.72, meaning it is less volatile than the S&P 500, making it a relatively defensive holding. The stability factor score for LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP is 62/100, reflecting average volatility within the normal range for its sector.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend
In TTM 2026, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP reported revenue of $490M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.65. Net income for the quarter was $11M. Gross margin was 59.2%. Operating income came in at $18M.
In FY 2025, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP reported revenue of $518M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.65. Net income for the quarter was $20M. Gross margin was 60.4%. Revenue grew 17.8% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $30M.
In Q3 2025, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP reported revenue of $141M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.12. Net income for the quarter was $4M. Gross margin was 59.5%. Revenue grew 23.6% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $6M.
In Q2 2025, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP reported revenue of $116M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.05. Net income for the quarter was $2M. Gross margin was 59.8%. Revenue grew 13.2% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $3M.
Over the past 8 quarters, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $103M to $490M. Investors analyzing LINC stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.
LINC Dividend Yield and Income Analysis
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) does not currently pay a dividend. This is common among smaller companies in the Personal Services industry that prefer to reinvest cash flows into business expansion rather than returning capital to shareholders. Income-focused investors looking for Consumer Discretionary dividend stocks may want to explore other Consumer Discretionary stocks or use the stock screener to filter by dividend yield.
LINC Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) has a momentum factor score of 75/100, indicating strong price momentum with the stock outperforming the majority of the market over recent periods. Stocks with high momentum scores have historically tended to continue their outperformance in the near term. The investment factor score is 23/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 24/100 signals elevated short interest, which can indicate bearish sentiment among institutional investors.
LINC vs Competitors — Consumer Discretionary Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison
Comparing LINC against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full LINC vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.
LINC Next Earnings Date
No upcoming earnings date has been announced for LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.
Should You Buy LINC? — Investment Thesis Summary
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP presents a balanced picture with arguments on both sides. Price momentum is positive at 75/100, suggesting the trend favors buyers. Low volatility (stability score 62/100) reduces downside risk.
In summary, LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP (LINC) earns a Hold rating with a composite score of 51.8/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on LINC stock.
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Execution Benchmarks audit
Revenue Growth
YOY expansion rate
37.4%
Sector: 3.3%
+1035% VS SCTR
Gross Margin
Core pricing power
59.2%
Sector: 36.9%
+60% VS SCTR
Operating Margin
Operating efficiency
3.7%
Sector: 3.8%
IN LINE
Net Margin
Bottom-line conversion
2.3%
Sector: 2.1%
IN LINE
Return on Equity
Equity capital efficiency
5.6%
Sector: 6.2%
IN LINE
Return on Assets
Asset base utilization
2.3%
Sector: 2.5%
IN LINE
Debt/Equity
Financial leverage load
147.0%
Sector: 89.0%
-65% VS SCTR
Dividend Yield
Direct cash return
0.0%
Sector: 0.0%
-NaN% VS SCTR
+223%
Price / Sales
2.6x
+870%
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP exhibits a 695% valuation premium relative to institutional benchmarks. This represents a potential valuation overextension based on current multiples.
Return on Assets
Efficiency of asset utilization
2.3%
Sector: 2.5%
Gross Margin
Pricing power and cost efficiency
59.2%
Sector: 36.9%
Operating Margin
Core business profitability
3.7%
Sector: 3.8%
Net Margin
Bottom-line profitability
2.3%
Sector: 2.1%
Factor Methodology
The Quality factor evaluates the persistence and magnitude of cash flows. Companies with scores >70 exhibit superior competitive moats and financial resilience through economic cycles.