CRA International (CRAI) vs Lincoln Educational Services (LINC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Lincoln Educational Services (LINC) has outperformed CRA International (CRAI) over the past year, gaining 6.1% versus a loss of 2.5%. Over five years, LINC leads with a +244.3% price change compared with +65.9% for CRAI. CRA International is the larger company by market cap ($1.11 billion vs $737.2 million), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, CRA International trades at a lower forward P/E (18.6x vs 22.2x for Lincoln Educational Services). CRA International pays a dividend yielding 1.24%, while Lincoln Educational Services does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CRAI | LINC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $177.56 | $23.24 |
| Market cap | $1.11B | $737.21M |
| 1-day change | +1.50% | +2.20% |
| YTD return | -11.53% | -3.77% |
| 1-year return | -2.54% | +6.12% |
| 5-year return | +65.88% | +244.30% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.67 | 31.84 |
| Forward P/E | 18.57 | 22.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.50 | $0.73 |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.20 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $227.29 | $56.34 |
| 52-week low | $132.17 | $17.29 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.88% | -58.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +41.08% | +107.40% |
| Average volume | 135.63K | 874.93K |
| Shares outstanding | 6.28M | 31.72M |
| Employees | 968 | 2,190 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Real Estate |
| Industry | Other Consumer Services | Other Consumer Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Lincoln Educational Services trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.8x vs 23.7x trailing P/E).
- CRA International offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: CRA International in Consumer Discretionary and Lincoln Educational Services in Real Estate.
About CRA International
CRAI stock →CRA International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides economic, financial, and management consulting services worldwide. It advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings; and guide corporations through business strategy and performance-related issues.
Consumer Discretionary · Other Consumer Services · 968 employees
About Lincoln Educational Services
LINC stock →Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented postsecondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. It operates in two segments, Campus Operations and Transitional.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 2,190 employees
CRAI vs LINC FAQ
Which is bigger, CRA International or Lincoln Educational Services?
CRA International (CRAI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.11B compared with $737.21M for Lincoln Educational Services (LINC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CRAI or LINC?
LINC returned +6.12% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.54% for CRAI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CRAI or LINC?
CRAI has the lower trailing P/E at 23.7, versus 31.8 for LINC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, CRA International or Lincoln Educational Services?
CRA International pays a dividend yielding 1.24%, while Lincoln Educational Services does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are CRA International and Lincoln Educational Services in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.