Criminal Justice and Corrections at Mitchell College

Mitchell College graduates in Criminal Justice earn about $15,000 less in their first year than the typical Connecticut program graduate—landing in the bottom quarter of programs statewide. At $32,782, that's barely above what someone might earn in retail management without a degree, and significantly trails the state median of $39,711. Even four years out, when earnings reach $38,727, graduates are still making less than peers from other Connecticut schools earn right after graduation.

The $27,000 in debt isn't excessive by itself—it matches the state average—but it becomes problematic when paired with these low earnings. You're looking at nearly a year's salary in debt for a credential that isn't opening doors to well-paying positions in Connecticut's criminal justice field. Compare this to Charter Oak State College graduates who earn more than double ($68,956) or even Sacred Heart grads who start above $41,000.

This creates a difficult financial equation. If your child is committed to criminal justice in Connecticut, they'd be paying similar debt for substantially better outcomes at nearly any other in-state option. The 18% earnings growth is encouraging, but they're still playing catch-up from a low starting point. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to attend Mitchell specifically, other Connecticut programs offer better returns on the same investment.