Cosmetology at East Mississippi Community College

East Mississippi Community College's cosmetology program reports first-year earnings of just $12,128—far below both the state median of $14,236 and the national average of $17,113. While the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, the gap is concerning: this program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Mississippi cosmetology schools, while stronger in-state options like Hinds Community College and Northwest Mississippi Community College show graduates earning over $17,000 annually. That's a $5,500+ difference in first-year income—meaningful money when you're starting out.

The debt picture looks better at face value with only $5,500 owed, but that's still among the highest nationally for this field (95th percentile). Given the earnings, graduates here are dedicating nearly half their first-year income to debt repayment. Compare this to peers at Meridian Community College who earn $17,559 with similar debt loads, creating a much more manageable financial start.

For Mississippi families, the data suggests looking closely at alternative cosmetology programs in-state. The small sample size means you should verify current outcomes directly with the school, but even accounting for statistical noise, the earning potential appears substantially lower than what nearby community colleges deliver for the same credential and similar costs.