Cosmetology at Chris Beauty College

Chris Beauty College graduates enter the workforce earning just under $15,000 annually—well below the national cosmetology median of $17,113 but slightly above Mississippi's $14,236 state median. That 60th percentile state ranking might seem reassuring until you look at the trajectory: earnings actually drop 10% by year four, while most graduates need to build their clientele over time. Mississippi's top programs like Hinds and Northwest Mississippi Community Colleges produce graduates earning $17,700, suggesting better training or market positioning.

The debt picture compounds these concerns. At $8,225, graduates here carry less debt than the national average, but the 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio means owing more than half your annual income right out of school. For a career where many stylists start as hourly employees before potentially opening their own salons, that's a tight squeeze. The earnings decline rather than growth makes it harder to manage even this moderate debt load.

For parents considering this investment, the math is challenging: their child would likely earn more at Mississippi's community college cosmetology programs while building toward a more stable financial foundation. Unless location in Gulfport is essential, programs like Hinds or Northwest Mississippi offer $3,000+ more in annual earnings—a meaningful difference when starting salaries are already this low. That extra earning power would cover the student debt faster and provide more cushion while establishing a client base.