Cosmetology at Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville

Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville's cosmetology program produces graduates earning significantly less than they could elsewhere in North Carolina. With first-year earnings of $15,003, graduates trail the state median by more than $2,000 annually—a substantial gap in an already modest-paying field. The program ranks in just the 40th percentile among North Carolina's 75 cosmetology schools, while top state programs like Gaston College deliver nearly double the earnings at $27,008.

The financial picture does improve somewhat over time, with earnings growing 23% to $18,514 by year four, but graduates still lag behind peers statewide. The debt load of $12,831 aligns closely with North Carolina's median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86—manageable but not impressive given the low starting salaries. Nationally, the program performs even worse, landing in the 26th percentile for earnings.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere within North Carolina's cosmetology landscape. Community college options like Wake Technical and Central Carolina deliver substantially better earning potential with similar or lower debt burdens. Unless location is the primary constraint, your child would likely achieve better financial outcomes at one of the state's higher-performing programs.