How the numbers work

Everything here is an estimate meant to help you compare programs, not financial advice. Real costs and pay vary by person and by program, so treat the results as a starting point and confirm the details with the program and a local American Job Center.

What we mean by the real cost

Instead of comparing tuition against salary, we add up what the whole move costs you:

tuition + supplies + the pay you give up while training + financing, minus grants and funding.

The pay you give up while training is usually the biggest piece, and it's the part most calculators leave out.

Where each number comes from

Program cost and length:real data from Mississippi's Eligible Training Provider List (TrainingProviderResults.gov, U.S. Department of Labor).
Pay after the program:the typical Mississippi wage for that occupation, from public wage data (BLS OEWS / O*NET) where we have it. Where we don't, we show a clearly labeled rough estimate, and you can drag the slider to your own number.
Housing: a rough Mississippi rent figure, used to check whether the new pay could cover a place to live. This is a placeholder and not yet official HUD Fair Market Rent, so treat the housing check as directional.
Borrowing:anything grants don't cover is money you'd pay out of pocket or borrow. If you borrow it, we add a rough interest estimate (about 8% over five years).

How we rate it

The star rating reflects how fast the program pays for itself, how much more you'd earn over five years, and whether the new pay clears the local cost of living. A lower rating always comes with a way to raise it, like adding funding or choosing a shorter or higher-paying program.

Things to keep in mind

All figures are before taxes.
Wages are typical for the occupation across Mississippi, not a guarantee of what this program's graduates earn.
Pay is assumed steady over five years, without raises or cuts.
Many people qualify for WIOA or a Pell grant that covers most or all of the cost. A local American Job Center can check for free.