Mitchell College provides access to higher education for students from diverse economic backgrounds, including substantial numbers of Pell Grant recipients and first-generation students.
However, graduates face significant challenges with long-term earnings that rank among the lowest nationally for similar institutions.
Mitchell College is a small private nonprofit institution in New London, Connecticut, serving about 39% Pell Grant recipients and 35% first-generation college students. The college provides access to higher education for students from diverse economic backgrounds, with a completion rate of about 44% within six years.
However, Mitchell College faces significant challenges in delivering strong financial outcomes for graduates. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $39,115, which places the institution in the bottom 14% nationally for long-term earnings. The college's graduates earn substantially less than what similar students achieve at other institutions, creating a challenging return on investment profile.
As a small private college, Mitchell offers the intimate campus experience and personalized attention that some students value highly. Yet families considering Mitchell should carefully evaluate whether the college's academic and social benefits justify the financial investment, given the modest earnings outcomes and relatively high costs typical of small private institutions.
Mitchell College offers a limited range of academic programs, with Corrections Administration and Business Administration representing the institution's primary focus areas. Both programs graduate about 30 students annually, creating small cohorts that may limit networking opportunities and employer recruitment compared with larger programs elsewhere.
Corrections Administration, while representing the college's highest aggregate return program, produces graduates earning about $26,224 ten years after graduation. Business Administration graduates earn slightly less at around $24,035. These earnings levels are substantially below what graduates in similar fields typically achieve at other institutions, reflecting broader challenges in the college's career preparation and employer connections.
The limited program portfolio and modest earnings outcomes across majors suggest prospective students should carefully evaluate whether Mitchell's academic offerings align with their career goals and financial expectations, particularly given the substantial investment required to attend.
Graduates of Mitchell College face challenging long-term financial outcomes compared with national averages. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $39,115, placing the institution among the lowest-performing colleges nationally for graduate earnings. More concerning, graduates earn substantially less than what similar students achieve at other institutions, suggesting the college struggles to add economic value beyond what students might have earned elsewhere.
The college's program offerings are limited, with Corrections Administration and Business Administration representing the largest and highest-returning majors. Corrections Administration graduates, despite representing the college's strongest program by aggregate return, earn about $26,224 ten years out, while Business Administration graduates earn around $24,035. These earnings levels are well below what graduates in similar fields typically achieve at other institutions, reflecting broader challenges in the college's ability to connect students with high-value career pathways.
Mitchell College presents significant affordability challenges for most families. Low-income students face net prices of about $27,427 annually, while middle-income families pay around $26,085 per year. High-income families see costs rise to approximately $33,628 annually. These price points place Mitchell among the less affordable options nationally, particularly given the modest earnings outcomes graduates achieve.
Debt levels compound the affordability concerns. Typical graduates leave with about $25,150 in federal student loan debt, and families often take on an additional $23,227 in Parent PLUS loans. While the college reports no federal loan defaults, the combination of substantial borrowing and modest post-graduation earnings creates a challenging financial equation for many students and families who choose Mitchell.
Mitchell College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
