Cosmetology at Meridian Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Distribution
How Meridian Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Meridian Community College graduates earn $18k, placing them in the 54th percentile of all cosmetology certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Mississippi
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Mississippi (28 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Community College | $17,559 | $18,352 | — | — |
| Hinds Community College | $17,704 | $14,285 | $9,781 | 0.55 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | $17,660 | $21,301 | $5,500 | 0.31 |
| Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture | $15,880 | $15,408 | $12,266 | 0.77 |
| Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics Nails & Cosmetology | $15,875 | $18,693 | $5,616 | 0.35 |
| Blue Cliff College-Gulfport | $15,719 | $16,461 | $16,535 | 1.05 |
| National Median | $17,113 | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Other Cosmetology Programs in Mississippi
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Mississippi schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinds Community College Raymond | $3,825 | $17,704 | $9,781 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia | $3,660 | $17,660 | $5,500 |
| Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty Culture Laurel | — | $15,880 | $12,266 |
| Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics Nails & Cosmetology Clinton | — | $15,875 | $5,616 |
| Blue Cliff College-Gulfport Gulfport | — | $15,719 | $16,535 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Meridian Community College, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 10 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.