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.
9 comments:
Federal grants = bribing the taxpayers with their own money.
42% don't report the data....and I assure you - the other 58% fudge those numbers with gusto.
The corrupt Mississippi college and university systems are nothing more than a redistribution of BILLIONS of Federal dollars into little fiefdoms within the state that have lots of jobs for Louann, Floyd, Dale, and Darlene - who wouldn't make it outside of Mississippi if it wasn't for who they're related.
Then, the poor staff, teachers, and administrators perform the perpetual humiliation ritual of keeping their mouths shut about rampant grade inflation - at all costs, meaning your job's on the line everyday. Most of the "admins" will tell you, "But you'll hurt the school" when in reality - it'll hurt their fat salaries, and may see them facing federal charges for False Claims Act violations - all while they've been promoting their faith in God!
But the Mississippi political machine will protect and insulate that very corruption as well, to keep those billions rolling for Mississippi politicos. Thus making the humiliation ritual that much more excruciating for teachers, etc. on a daily, torturous basis.....anybody wonder why teachers don't want to be teachers anymore? There you have it.
Maybe it is just me, but what is the need for the Feds to give grants to go to barber "colleges" and cosmetology andbeauty schools. Please tell me what I am missing here.
@1:07 - We need qualified barbers and hairdressers. They perform a useful service. Football and other sports jocks contribute nothing to society, and I don't want my tax dollars subsidizing their dumb asses.
There needs to be a law requiring “on line colleges” to submit their graduation % vs those who sign up! It’s a money racket! Same as “community colleges”!
Yep, probably 40% of the online classes being serviced right now through junion colleges are for "dual credit" high schoolers, with the intention of priming them with a head start to their local junion college to keep that money rolling in. Enrollment is waaaay down, but they prop the numbers up with the bogus addition of the dual credit students gamble on the taxapayer's dime. Complete money racket for the bullies in administration who threaten anyone who even discusses it. Many teachers become bullies as well to keep others quiet becasue they're chasing that PERS money, and don't want you messing with their retirement.
Requiring this information is about as bogus as the State Auditor claiming knowledge of brain-drain (of which he has no proof). There is no penalty (and no reward) for any school to supply this information (as if it's had in the first place) to DOE. Besides the fact that DOE is being disassembled and boxed up (cardboard boxes) as we speak. But Crawford stumbled upon something he views as important (that isn't).
Is that why a Mississippi degree is not valued very highly outside the state? Mississippians are viewed by others outside the state as backward so the only thing you can prove to them is your intelligence. At the end of the day, your ability to get the job done well is the only thing that wins. Otherwise you are just a warm body in a job.
Yes. Plus, anyone who visits immediately sees how the state as a whole is 200 years behind the rest of the world. They still hate the Yankee, but loves to take their billions of Federal dollars that keep it on life support, and the connected in power over the little people.
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