Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Mitchell Community College
Associate's Degree
mitchellcc.eduAnalysis
Mitchell Community College's liberal arts associate delivers exactly what you'd expect from a community college general education program—modest starting earnings offset by remarkably low debt. At just $6,313, graduates leave with less than half the typical debt burden for this program in North Carolina, ranking this program in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping debt low.
The earnings trajectory tells a straightforward story. Starting at $27,667, graduates see steady growth to $31,805 by year four—a 15% increase that outpaces many associate programs. While Mitchell ranks solidly in the middle nationally (53rd percentile), it performs slightly better among North Carolina programs (60th percentile), beating the state median by nearly $1,000 in first-year earnings. Those top-ranked NC programs like Randolph and Beaufort County earning $38,000-$40,000 serve different populations or funnel graduates into specific local industries, so the gap isn't entirely apples-to-apples.
The real appeal here is the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23—graduates owe less than three months of their first year's salary. For students using this degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program or seeking general workforce entry with minimal financial risk, Mitchell provides that foundation affordably. Just understand this is a credential for beginning a journey, not finishing one.
Where Mitchell Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Mitchell Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Community College | $27,667 | $31,805 | +15% |
| Randolph Community College | $40,145 | $45,441 | +13% |
| Wake Technical Community College | $30,373 | $40,394 | +33% |
| University of Mount Olive | $35,452 | $40,326 | +14% |
| Durham Technical Community College | $23,876 | $36,723 | +54% |
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (66 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mitchell Community CollegeStatesville | $2,651 | $27,667 | $31,805 | $6,313 | 0.23 |
 Randolph Community CollegeAsheboro | $2,416 | $40,145 | $45,441 | — | — |
 Beaufort County Community CollegeWashington | $2,540 | $38,009 | $29,711 | $7,947 | 0.21 |
 Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville | $2,628 | $36,276 | $35,495 | $12,037 | 0.33 |
 University of Mount OliveMount Olive | $25,950 | $35,452 | $40,326 | $27,562 | 0.78 |
 Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson | $1,956 | $34,109 | $30,228 | — | — |
| National Median | — | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mitchell Community College, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 69 graduates with reported earnings and 54 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.