Human Resources Management and Services: earnings, debt, and careers
CIP 52.10. Official graduate outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education across 1,495 programs, and the careers this field is linked to.
Graduate earnings by credential level
| Credential | Programs | Graduates (recent year) | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Typical program median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate certificate | 240 | 4,311 | $50,359 | $61,907 | $17,881 29 programs |
| Associate's degree | 140 | 1,065 | $48,237 | $54,425 | $27,581 23 programs |
| Bachelor's degree | 449 | 9,934 | $55,804 | $68,069 | $25,250 152 programs |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 26 | 0 | $81,881 | $79,861 | $21,062 3 programs |
| Master's degree | 376 | 8,048 | $72,026 | $83,558 | Data unavailable |
| Doctoral degree | 36 | 278 | $94,801 | $110,734 | Data unavailable |
| Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) | 2 | 6 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Graduate certificate | 226 | 1,782 | $64,683 | $74,850 | Data unavailable |
National earnings are published by the Department of Education for each field and credential level Verified data. Typical program median debt is ConnectPrep's calculation: the median across programs of each program's median federal debt Calculated estimate. It covers federal loans only.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Undergraduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus PA · Public · 34 graduates measured | $75,114 | $98,082 | Data unavailable |
| Champlain College VT · Private, nonprofit · 16 graduates measured | $59,894 | $78,545 | Data unavailable |
| William Rainey Harper College IL · Public · 22 graduates measured | $57,296 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Indiana Institute of Technology IN · Private, nonprofit · 17 graduates measured | $55,271 | Data unavailable | $18,364 |
| Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies IN · Private, nonprofit · 17 graduates measured | $55,271 | Data unavailable | $18,364 |
| College of DuPage IL · Public · 25 graduates measured | $54,343 | $70,294 | $11,405 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN · Public · 76 graduates measured | $54,243 | $72,961 | $14,500 |
| Ferris State University MI · Public · 21 graduates measured | $53,035 | $63,493 | Data unavailable |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona AZ · Private, for-profit · 220 graduates measured | $50,978 | $66,086 | $21,375 |
| University of Phoenix-California · Private, for-profit · 220 graduates measured | $50,978 | $66,086 | $21,375 |
| University of Phoenix-Nevada · Private, for-profit · 220 graduates measured | $50,978 | $66,086 | $21,375 |
| University of Phoenix-Texas · Private, for-profit · 220 graduates measured | $50,978 | $66,086 | $21,375 |
| Northern Arizona University AZ · Public · 37 graduates measured | $50,074 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis IN · Public · 82 graduates measured | $48,837 | $65,262 | $22,607 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College IA · Public · 16 graduates measured | $48,423 | $48,073 | $16,957 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Associate's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire State University NY · Public · 107 graduates measured | $68,270 | $90,619 | $6,664 |
| Rio Salado College AZ · Public · 20 graduates measured | $66,030 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Rasmussen University-Florida FL · Private, for-profit · 105 graduates measured | $52,554 | $60,288 | $27,763 |
| Rasmussen University-Minnesota MN · Private, for-profit · 105 graduates measured | $52,554 | $60,288 | $27,763 |
| Rasmussen University-North Dakota ND · Private, for-profit · 105 graduates measured | $52,554 | $60,288 | $27,763 |
| Rasmussen University-Illinois IL · Private, for-profit · 105 graduates measured | $52,554 | $60,288 | $27,763 |
| Rasmussen University-Wisconsin WI · Private, for-profit · 105 graduates measured | $52,554 | $60,288 | $27,763 |
| Rasmussen University-Kansas KS · Private, for-profit · 105 graduates measured | $52,554 | $60,288 | $27,763 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College WI · Public · 27 graduates measured | $50,867 | Data unavailable | $32,515 |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College PA · Public · 17 graduates measured | $49,918 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College MN · Public · 23 graduates measured | $49,493 | $49,930 | $24,908 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia CA · Private, for-profit · 41 graduates measured | $47,247 | $61,623 | $18,516 |
| Fox Valley Technical College WI · Public · 31 graduates measured | $45,968 | $51,687 | $14,000 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College WI · Public · 16 graduates measured | $45,691 | $53,650 | Data unavailable |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College IA · Public · 17 graduates measured | $45,573 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Bachelor's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University IL · Private, nonprofit · 23 graduates measured | $98,392 | $108,498 | Data unavailable |
| Benedictine University IL · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $82,054 | $90,891 | Data unavailable |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University FL · Private, nonprofit · 20 graduates measured | $76,904 | $60,379 | Data unavailable |
| Cornell University NY · Private, nonprofit · 269 graduates measured | $74,192 | $112,713 | $12,000 |
| Colorado Christian University CO · Private, nonprofit · 37 graduates measured | $73,863 | $69,617 | $43,753 |
| Thomas Edison State University NJ · Public · 19 graduates measured | $73,792 | $78,576 | $14,188 |
| Southern Nazarene University OK · Private, nonprofit · 63 graduates measured | $72,585 | $78,093 | $30,578 |
| Eastern Mennonite University VA · Private, nonprofit · 25 graduates measured | $72,519 | Data unavailable | $19,455 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public · 44 graduates measured | $69,663 | $99,594 | $20,596 |
| Waldorf University IA · Private, for-profit · 45 graduates measured | $68,676 | $94,822 | $26,613 |
| University of the Pacific CA · Private, nonprofit · 19 graduates measured | $68,666 | $75,444 | Data unavailable |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona AZ · Private, for-profit · 32 graduates measured | $68,487 | $64,720 | Data unavailable |
| University of Phoenix-California · Private, for-profit · 32 graduates measured | $68,487 | $64,720 | Data unavailable |
| University of Phoenix-Nevada · Private, for-profit · 32 graduates measured | $68,487 | $64,720 | Data unavailable |
| University of Phoenix-Texas · Private, for-profit · 32 graduates measured | $68,487 | $64,720 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villanova University PA · Private, nonprofit · 44 graduates measured | $85,887 | Data unavailable | $21,062 |
| Boise State University ID · Public · 30 graduates measured | $83,999 | Data unavailable | $17,125 |
| University of Rhode Island RI · Public · 44 graduates measured | $79,487 | $78,471 | $21,062 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Master's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of San Francisco CA · Private, nonprofit · 50 graduates measured | $132,992 | $153,058 | Data unavailable |
| Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 37 graduates measured | $126,350 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Cornell University NY · Private, nonprofit · 100 graduates measured | $112,732 | $155,909 | Data unavailable |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia SC · Public · 59 graduates measured | $107,832 | $136,605 | Data unavailable |
| University of Pennsylvania PA · Private, nonprofit · 38 graduates measured | $106,959 | $102,306 | Data unavailable |
| George Washington University DC · Private, nonprofit · 88 graduates measured | $102,181 | $120,266 | Data unavailable |
| University of Southern California CA · Private, nonprofit · 338 graduates measured | $98,814 | $116,471 | Data unavailable |
| Georgetown University DC · Private, nonprofit · 60 graduates measured | $98,105 | $109,895 | Data unavailable |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public · 174 graduates measured | $96,342 | $114,404 | Data unavailable |
| Seton Hall University NJ · Private, nonprofit · 52 graduates measured | $95,612 | $128,177 | Data unavailable |
| Boise State University ID · Public · 29 graduates measured | $94,774 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg PA · Public · 309 graduates measured | $92,380 | $103,541 | Data unavailable |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public · 309 graduates measured | $92,380 | $103,541 | Data unavailable |
| Pennsylvania State University-World Campus PA · Public · 309 graduates measured | $92,380 | $103,541 | Data unavailable |
| Michigan State University MI · Public · 63 graduates measured | $92,004 | $127,481 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Doctoral degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine University IL · Private, nonprofit · 20 graduates measured | $127,578 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Capella University MN · Private, for-profit · 21 graduates measured | $106,447 | $159,344 | Data unavailable |
| Regent University VA · Private, nonprofit · 144 graduates measured | $84,633 | $104,912 | Data unavailable |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus AZ · Private, for-profit · 46 graduates measured | $83,760 | $72,769 | Data unavailable |
| Alliant International University-San Diego CA · Private, for-profit · 26 graduates measured | $82,851 | $119,182 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Graduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fielding Graduate University CA · Private, nonprofit · 28 graduates measured | $126,584 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| George Washington University DC · Private, nonprofit · 49 graduates measured | $101,727 | $168,934 | Data unavailable |
| Champlain College VT · Private, nonprofit · 37 graduates measured | $79,947 | $103,592 | Data unavailable |
| Colorado State University Global CO · Public · 21 graduates measured | $78,261 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis IN · Public · 22 graduates measured | $71,289 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-District of Columbia DC · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-Virginia VA · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-Delaware DE · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-Alabama AL · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-Georgia GA · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-Texas TX · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Strayer University-Global Region DC · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $66,250 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Southern New Hampshire University NH · Private, nonprofit · 110 graduates measured | $63,878 | $73,314 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry College of New York NY · Private, for-profit · 190 graduates measured | $60,727 | $66,776 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-California CA · Private, for-profit · 190 graduates measured | $60,727 | $66,776 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Careers linked to Human Resources Management and Services
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation and benefits managers | $149,230 | +1.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Human resources managers | $149,280 | +5.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Training and development managers | $133,000 | +6.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| Compliance officers | $80,730 | +3.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Human resources specialists | $75,940 | +6.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| Labor relations specialists | $95,420 | +2.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists | $78,210 | +6.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Training and development specialists | $69,280 | +10.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors | $64,330 | +2.9% | Master's degree |
| Counselors, all other | $50,860 | +5.9% | Master's degree |
| Business teachers, postsecondary | $99,080 | +5.9% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Law teachers, postsecondary | $128,500 | +2.6% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping | $50,610 | -6.2% | Associate's degree |
Occupations mapped to this field in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. Occupation wages describe all workers, not recent graduates.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Detailed CIP codes in this field (7)
- 52.1001 Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- 52.1002 Labor and Industrial Relations
- 52.1003 Organizational Behavior Studies
- 52.1004 Labor Studies
- 52.1005 Human Resources Development
- 52.1006 Executive/Career Coaching
- 52.1099 Human Resources Management and Services, Other