Students at Manchester University benefit from earnings that exceed expectations for graduates of similar small private colleges, reflecting the institution's ability to prepare students for stable career paths.
The university combines this earnings advantage with faster-than-average loan repayment rates, indicating graduates generally find employment that supports their financial obligations.
Manchester University is a small private nonprofit institution in North Manchester, Indiana, that serves students seeking a personalized college experience with moderate financial outcomes. While the university doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings or affordability, it provides a solid educational foundation with graduates earning a median of $51,504 ten years after enrollment. The institution demonstrates particular strength in supporting access, with 44% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 34% being first-generation college students.
What distinguishes Manchester is its small-college environment, graduating relatively small cohorts that benefit from close faculty relationships and individualized attention. The university's outcomes reflect the typical pattern of smaller private institutions—moderate earnings potential balanced against higher net prices, but with the advantage of a supportive academic community. Graduates tend to enter stable career paths, particularly in business and health-related fields, though earnings growth may be more gradual compared to larger research universities.
For students who thrive in smaller academic settings and value personal relationships with faculty and staff, Manchester offers a traditional liberal arts college experience. The institution serves as a stepping stone into professional careers, particularly for students from Indiana and the broader Midwest region who want to remain connected to their home communities while pursuing higher education.
Manchester University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive liberal arts institution with practical career focus. Business Administration stands out as both a popular choice and the program with the strongest aggregate return, enrolling 22 students annually who earn median salaries of $36,848 in early career years. This program benefits from Manchester's connections to regional employers and provides solid preparation for management and entrepreneurship roles in Indiana's business community.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the university's largest program with 24 graduates, though early earnings of $28,816 reflect the more modest pay scales typical in health and fitness sectors. This program prepares students for careers in physical therapy, athletic training, and wellness coaching—fields that offer job security and personal satisfaction even if initial salaries are moderate. The program's size suggests strong student interest and likely reflects Manchester's broader emphasis on health-related fields.
Both programs demonstrate Manchester's focus on practical, career-oriented education that connects directly to regional employment opportunities. While neither program produces the high early earnings seen at major research universities, they provide reliable pathways into stable middle-class careers. The university's small size means students in these programs benefit from close faculty mentorship and hands-on learning experiences that larger institutions often cannot provide.
Manchester University graduates achieve moderate long-term earnings, with a median of $51,504 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the 42nd percentile nationally. What's notable is that graduates earn about $3,928 more than similar students at comparable institutions, indicating the university provides some earnings advantage beyond what might be expected. This earnings boost reflects Manchester's ability to prepare students for stable career paths, even if absolute earnings levels remain moderate compared to larger research universities.
The strongest financial outcomes typically come from business administration, which enrolls 22 graduates annually with median earnings of $36,848 in the early career years. Exercise science and kinesiology, the university's largest program with 24 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $28,816 but leads to stable employment in health and fitness sectors. These programs reflect Manchester's focus on practical, career-oriented education that connects directly to regional employment opportunities.
While Manchester doesn't produce the high-earning graduates seen at major research universities, it provides consistent preparation for middle-class careers. The university's small size means graduates often benefit from strong alumni networks and personalized career guidance, which can help explain why earnings exceed expectations even when absolute levels remain moderate. For students seeking stable, predictable career outcomes rather than high-risk, high-reward paths, Manchester delivers reliable preparation for professional employment.
Affordability at Manchester University varies significantly by family income, following the typical pattern of private nonprofit institutions. Low-income students pay about $12,895 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a private college, while middle-income families face costs around $16,949 per year. High-income families pay substantially more at $25,938 annually, reflecting the university's reliance on higher-income students to subsidize aid for those with greater financial need.
Debt levels require careful consideration for most Manchester students. Typical graduates leave with about $26,854 in federal student loan debt, which is higher than many public universities but within the range seen at similar private institutions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $20,348, adding to the total family debt burden. The combination means many Manchester families take on substantial borrowing to finance the degree, making post-graduation earnings particularly important for financial sustainability.
What helps make Manchester's debt levels manageable is the university's strong loan repayment performance. Borrowers pay down their balances faster than national averages, with about 17% of students having paid off their loans entirely by year 2—a rate that places Manchester in the 92nd percentile nationally. This suggests graduates generally find stable employment that allows them to service their debt obligations, even if earnings growth is gradual rather than dramatic.
Manchester University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
