Analysis
The numbers here are troubling: graduates earn just $9,525 in their first year—barely half the Mississippi state median for cosmetology programs and among the lowest 5% nationally. Even four years out, earnings climb only to $12,671, still well below what graduates from community colleges like Hinds ($17,704) or Northwest Mississippi ($17,660) achieve right after completing their programs.
The relatively low debt of $5,250 provides minimal comfort when weighed against these earnings. While that's about half the state average for cosmetology programs, it still represents more than half a year's income for first-year graduates. The 74% Pell grant rate suggests students here already face financial constraints, making every dollar of debt and lost earning potential matter more. With Mississippi offering 28 cosmetology programs—including several community colleges with significantly better outcomes and likely similar or lower costs—there's little reason to accept these results.
The small sample size means these figures might not be perfectly representative, but the pattern is consistent enough to warrant serious concern. For a parent considering this investment, the clearest path forward is exploring the community college options that dominate the top of Mississippi's cosmetology rankings.
Where Traxlers School of Hair Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all cosmetology certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Traxlers School of Hair graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traxlers School of Hair | $9,525 | $12,671 | +33% |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | $17,660 | $21,301 | +21% |
| Academy of Hair Design-Pearl | $15,440 | $19,545 | +27% |
| Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics Nails & Cosmetology | $15,875 | $18,693 | +18% |
| Meridian Community College | $17,559 | $18,352 | +5% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Mississippi
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Mississippi (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Traxlers School of HairJackson | — | $9,525 | $12,671 | $5,250 | 0.55 |
 Hinds Community CollegeRaymond | $3,825 | $17,704 | $14,285 | $9,781 | 0.55 |
 Northwest Mississippi Community CollegeSenatobia | $3,660 | $17,660 | $21,301 | $5,500 | 0.31 |
 Meridian Community CollegeMeridian | $3,932 | $17,559 | $18,352 | — | — |
 Hatfield's Mississippi College of Beauty CultureLaurel | — | $15,880 | $15,408 | $12,266 | 0.77 |
 Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics Nails & CosmetologyClinton | — | $15,875 | $18,693 | $5,616 | 0.35 |
| National Median | — | $17,113 | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with cosmetology graduates
Skincare Specialists
Barbers
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Personal Service Managers, All Other
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
Spa Managers
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Shampooers
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 Traxlers School of Hair, approximately 74% 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 24 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.