Cosmetology at Academy of Hair Design-Jackson

Academy of Hair Design-Jackson graduates earn about $2,900 less annually than the typical Mississippi cosmetology program graduate, landing in the 40th percentile statewide. While that might not sound catastrophic, consider what it means in practice: at $13,348 in the first year, graduates are earning roughly $1,100 per month before taxes—barely above minimum wage despite carrying $10,005 in debt. Compare this to Hinds Community College graduates just a few miles away earning $17,704, or 33% more annually.

The program does show one positive: earnings grow 22% over four years, reaching $16,239. That's meaningful growth in percentage terms, though the absolute dollar increase still leaves graduates in the bottom fifth nationally. With 90% of students here receiving Pell grants, these are students who likely can't afford programs that underperform by thousands of dollars annually. The debt load itself isn't unusually high for cosmetology training, but when paired with below-average earnings, the monthly payment burden becomes disproportionately heavy.

For families considering cosmetology training in the Jackson area, this program's outcomes suggest looking at community college alternatives first. The four-year earnings here barely reach what other Mississippi programs deliver in year one. That gap compounds over a career in ways that make even modest debt harder to manage.