Jackson Jambalaya

 Of the nation’s 4,640 colleges, universities, and certificate programs eligible for federal grants and loans, 1,930 or 42% could be at risk for failing to properly submit student outcomes data. Of 43 eligible in Mississippi, 16 or 37% may be at risk.

Since July 1, 2024, colleges have been required to submit to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) data that will allow comparison of average earnings of completer of academic program with the average earnings of high school completers. Programs with average earnings below the state high school average in two out of three consecutive years can lose access to federal loan programs. Compliance had been delayed, but the agency is now moving to implement the program.

The DOE has not released this compliance data publicly, but Inside Higher Ed obtained a copy accidentally posted online. The higher education organization then posted a search tool allowing anyone to look up their favorite institution’s status.

Using the tool on a list of 57 colleges, universities, and certificate programs located in Mississippi, I found 27 in compliance, 16 in noncompliance, and 14 unlisted. Note: Last week, DOE exempted religious institutions from potential penalties but not from reporting requirements.

Those showing out of compliance constitute an interesting mix.

Of our eight public universities, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi were noncompliant.

Of our 15 public community colleges, Coahoma Community College was noncompliant.

Among our four-year private colleges, Blue Mountain Christian University, Millsaps College, Rust College, and Tougaloo College were noncompliant.  

Other noncompliant organizations revealed by Inside Higher Ed were: the Art of Hair Academy; Blue Cliff College; Fosters Cosmetology; Hatfield’s Inc. Mississippi School of Beauty Culture; Mississippi Barber Academy; Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics, Nails & Cosmetology; Traxler’s School of Hair; and at least one of the Academy of Hair Design schools.

The 14 unlisted organizations included A Cut Above Barber College; Amory Cosmetology Academy; April’s Mane Academy; B&E Barber Institute; Booneville Academy of Cosmetology; CNK Barber College; Delta Beauty College; Delta Technical College; Dynasty College of Cosmetology and Barberology (sic); Mississippi College School of Law; Reformed Theological Seminary; Southeastern Baptist College; Trendsetters Barber College; and Wesley Biblical Seminary. 

If these were counted our noncompliance ratio would rise to 53%.

Two categories of organizations showing above average noncompliance for both Mississippi and the nation were private certificate programs and historically black institutions. Institutions have until January 15, 2027, to comply with reporting requirements.

Still to come are the actual lists of programs that fail the average earnings tests. In Mississippi with its bottom level average earnings for high school completers, few programs should fail.

“Be humble, take advice, and become wise” – Proverbs 13-10.

Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from Jackson.