College-Career Transition Success: The percentage of Graduating Scholars who secured a long-term job or graduate school acceptance before graduation significantly increased in 2024, marking a 15-point rise from the previous year. This success is strongly correlated with higher levels of campus involvement, particularly in leadership activities, honors programs, athletics, extracurriculars, and mentorship experiences. Notably, involvement in research with faculty has grown significantly.
Income Disparities in Post-Graduation Success: Scholars from lower-income households (under $50,000) are less likely to have a post-graduation plan by senior year. While Scholars from all income levels are navigating the college-to-career transition at robust rates, those from higher-income families, particularly those earning over $100,000, are more likely to achieve early career success.
Lower-Income Scholars’ Engagement: Lower-income Scholars are also less engaged in campus activities, which may contribute to the post-graduation disparities. In contrast, Mitchell Scholars with lower incomes are more engaged in Mitchell Institute activities. The Scholar team should leverage our strong relationships with these Scholars to nudge them toward greater campus engagement.
Financial Anxiety: Financial anxiety is prevalent, especially among Bonney Scholars and those from lower-income households, with many Scholars expressing concern about their ability to afford unforeseen fees, technology, and course materials. This anxiety affects mental and physical health, engagement, and academic performance. Addressing these hidden costs should be a priority, as financial stress contributes to lower completion rates and long-term economic instability.
Debt and Long-Term Economic Risk: While Mitchell Scholars borrow less than their peers, those with low household incomes and high debt (over $20,000) face significant long-term financial risks if they do not complete their degrees. This group represents 24% of lower household income survey respondents and warrants further attention to identify additional support needs and reduce the risk of economic instability post-graduation.