Lincoln Tech Campus Among USA Today’s “Top Vocational Schools” for 2026
Rhea-AI Summary
Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) announced that its Melrose Park, IL campus has been named one of “America’s Top Vocational Schools” for 2026 by USA Today, following a similar recognition in 2025. The designation reflects multiple criteria centered on student success and diversity, including graduation rates, graduate salaries, payoff time for programs, diversity levels, and social mobility.
The Melrose Park campus, originally founded as Greer College of Automotive Engineering in 1902, offers programs in Automotive Service, Electrical, HVAC, Medical Assisting, and Welding. According to Lincoln, the campus graduated more than 600 students last year, with 81% of graduates hired in careers in their field.
Positive
- Melrose Park named a USA Today “Top Vocational School” for 2026
- Recognition follows prior inclusion on USA Today’s list for 2025
- Campus reported 81% of graduates hired in-field last year
- More than 600 students graduated from Melrose Park campus last year
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – LINC
In the Jul 28 session, LINC gained 3.60%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 4 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | -2.3% | Scheduled Q2 results and conference call without providing an operating update |
| Jul 08 | Campus expansion | Positive | -2.8% | Planned 25th campus with projected investment, revenue, and EBITDA targets |
| Jun 02 | Investor conferences | Positive | +2.1% | Management reiterated 2026 optimism and disclosed long-term revenue and EBITDA targets |
| May 13 | Foundation grants | Positive | +3.6% | Foundation received first-quarter grants supporting scholarships and student assistance |
| May 11 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +10.6% | Q1 revenue, EBITDA, cash flow, liquidity, and student starts increased |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Positive company news aligned with gains in three of four comparable events, while the campus expansion announcement diverged with a negative reaction.
Key Terms
hvac technical
social mobility financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Melrose Park, IL school recognized for commitment to student success, diversity.
Parsippany, N.J., July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ: LINC), a national leader in specialized technical training for 80 years, announced today that its Melrose Park, IL campus has been named one of “America’s Top Vocational Schools” for 2026 by USA Today. The campus selection was based on a number of factors focused on student success and commitment to diversity.
The campus was also named to USA Today’s 2025 list. Melrose Park is one of Lincoln’s most established locations, with roots that can be traced to its founding as Greer College of Automotive Engineering in 1902.
“Lincoln Tech is proud to be recognized again by USA Today,” says Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO. “This inclusion is a testament to our commitment to helping build the workforces of America’s transportation, skilled trade and healthcare support industries. We are guided every day by our mission to change the lives of our students and strengthen employers nationwide through the career training programs we provide.”
The USA Today survey, conducted in collaboration with Statista, evaluated career training schools based on five main criteria: graduation rate, graduate salaries, diversity within the student body, anticipated years to pay off a program (combining the average cost of attendance with value added to an average graduate’s salary compared with an average high school graduate), and social mobility (a measure of the role a campus plays in impacting the lives of students receiving financial assistance).
The Melrose Park campus offers career training programs in Automotive Service, Electrical and HVAC, along with Medical Assisting and Welding. Last year
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About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation
Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults career-oriented programs in skilled trades, automotive, health sciences and information technology. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946.
Lincoln currently operates 22 campuses in 12 states under 3 brands: Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Technical Institute and Nashville AutoDiesel College. For more information, go to www.lincolntech.edu.
Attachments
- Lincoln Tech Is a National Leader in Hands-On Career Training
- Lincoln Tech Focuses on Student Success
Scott Watkins, VP Marketing Lincoln Tech 973.766.9656 Swatkins@lincolntech.edu