Culinary Arts at Mississippi University for Women

That 82% earnings jump from year one to year four tells you something important about this program: graduates start rough but gain traction. The $20,026 first-year figure is alarmingly low—in the 5th percentile nationally for culinary bachelor's programs—but by year four, earnings nearly double to $36,439. That's still below the national median of $29,622, but the trajectory matters here.

With only two culinary bachelor's programs in Mississippi, the comparison set is limited, but this one sits at the 60th percentile statewide. The $25,750 debt load is manageable relative to that fourth-year salary (roughly 0.7 times earnings), though that first year will be financially tight. The small sample size—under 30 graduates—means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few data points, so treat them as directional rather than definitive.

The real question is whether your child needs a bachelor's degree for culinary work at all. Many successful chefs build careers through associate degrees or apprenticeships at a fraction of the cost. If they're set on this four-year path at MUW, have a frank conversation about surviving that first year financially—perhaps living at home or having a backup income source—while banking on that strong mid-career growth potential.