Cosmetology at Blue Cliff College-Gulfport

Blue Cliff College-Gulfport's cosmetology program presents a mixed picture that requires careful consideration of your financial expectations. While graduates earn $15,719 in their first year—below the national average of $17,113—this program actually performs better than most Mississippi cosmetology schools, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide where the median is just $14,236. However, the program significantly underperforms compared to the top community college options in the state, which see graduates earning $17,000+ annually.

The financial structure here is concerning despite relatively manageable debt levels. At $16,535 in median debt, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.05, meaning they owe more than they'll earn in their first year. While this debt load ranks in the favorable 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs have higher debt), the low earning potential means loan payments will consume a substantial portion of take-home pay. The minimal 5% earnings growth over four years suggests limited career advancement potential.

For a cosmetology career in Mississippi, this program gets you licensed but doesn't position you as competitively as community college alternatives like Hinds or Northwest Mississippi, where graduates earn $2,000+ more annually with similar debt loads. If cost is the primary concern and other options aren't accessible, this program can work, but the superior performance of state community colleges makes them worth serious consideration first.