Business/Commerce at Holmes Community College

Holmes Community College's business program is hard to evaluate precisely because it sits right at Mississippi's median for earnings, but well below the national curve. That 60th percentile state ranking sounds reassuring until you realize Mississippi business programs collectively underperform: the state median of $27,012 trails the national median by nearly $10,000. Your child would be getting a middle-of-the-pack outcome in a state where even the best community college option (Itawamba) earns $8,000 less than average programs elsewhere.

The positives are real but modest. At $10,931 in debt, graduates carry manageable loans that represent just 5 months of first-year income. The 28% earnings growth to $34,661 by year four suggests decent career progression. For families already committed to staying in Mississippi—where wages and living costs are lower—this represents an affordable credential that could open doors into office work or retail management.

The bottom line: This works as a low-cost stepping stone for Mississippi-bound students, particularly those already receiving Pell grants who need an accessible entry point. But if your child has options to attend programs in states with stronger business job markets, the $27,000 starting salary points to limited upside that even solid earnings growth can't fully overcome.