Cosmetology at Delta Technical College-Mississippi

Delta Technical College's cosmetology program manages to keep debt relatively low at $13,038—well below what many competitors charge—while delivering earnings that place it solidly in the middle of Mississippi's cosmetology landscape. At $15,576 in the first year, graduates earn more than the state median of $14,236, ranking in the 60th percentile among Mississippi programs. With 83% of students receiving Pell grants, this matters: the program serves a predominantly working-class population where every dollar of debt and earnings counts.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 means graduates owe roughly 10 months of their first-year salary—manageable for a credential that takes significantly less time than a traditional degree. Earnings grow to $17,474 by year four, a 12% increase that brings graduates closer to what the state's top programs achieve initially. While you won't see the higher starting salaries of nearby community colleges like Hinds or Northwest Mississippi (both around $17,700), you're also not taking on substantially more debt to get there.

For families prioritizing affordability and faster workforce entry, this program delivers reasonable value. The earnings won't be impressive compared to four-year degrees, but that's the cosmetology field nationally—not a school-specific issue. If your child is committed to this career path and needs to minimize debt, Delta Technical accomplishes that while achieving better-than-average Mississippi outcomes.