BUSINESS Specialization

Human Resources

Human Resources graduates earn $68,069 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,156 and $90,619. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Human Resources

This page covers Human Resources as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Business and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Human Resources is a focused area of study within Business. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $68,069 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 812 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 25,350 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$50,612
Median Earnings · 4yr
$68,069
Colleges Offering
812
Graduates / Year
25,350
Avg Net Price / yr
$24,164

How Much Do Human Resources Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Human Resources, a typical graduate earns $68,069, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $50,156 and $90,619, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$50,612
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$68,069
4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$67,322
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Human Resources graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $68,069 and an estimated $96,656 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.5 years.

Based on outcomes from 434 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 25,350 students who complete Human Resources programs each year, the majority (46%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 46%
Master's 37%
Post-Bacc Cert. 8%

What Can You Do With a Human Resources Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Human Resources graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Human Resources Manager pays the most at $149,280/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Human Resources Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +5.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$149,280
$111K $199K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 16,800 openings/yr 221K employed nationally
Active Listening Management of Personnel Resources Speaking Reading Comprehension Coordination
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

  • Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
  • Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
  • Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
↗ +1.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$149,230
$113K $201K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 1,600 openings/yr 23K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Writing Active Listening Speaking Judgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

  • Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
  • Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
  • Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
↗ +6.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$133,000
$102K $177K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,100 openings/yr 48K employed nationally
Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

  • Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
  • Evaluate instructor performance and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement.
  • Plan, develop, and provide training and staff development programs, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods such as classroom training, demonstrations, on-the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
↗ +2.6% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$128,500
$89K $176K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,800 openings/yr 20K employed nationally
Speaking Learning Strategies Active Listening Reading Comprehension Instructing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, papers, and oral presentations.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
↗ +5.9% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$99,080
$64K $142K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 7,600 openings/yr 82K employed nationally
Speaking Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
↗ +2.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$95,420
$72K $123K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,800 openings/yr 65K employed nationally
Active Listening Speaking Negotiation Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

  • Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
  • Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
  • Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
↗ +3.8% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$80,730
$61K $109K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 32,700 openings/yr 417K employed nationally
Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening Critical Thinking Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

  • Warn violators of infractions or penalties.
  • Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.
  • Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.
↗ +6.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$78,210
$61K $100K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 9,000 openings/yr 112K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Active Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

  • Administer employee insurance, pension, and savings plans, working with insurance brokers and plan carriers.
  • Ensure company compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements.
  • Research employee benefit and health and safety practices, and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.

Top Colleges for Human Resources

Not sure where to study Human Resources? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Colorado State University Global, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Colorado State University Global Denver, CO · Public 626 98.4% $16,510 $76,813
2 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK · Public 536 76.6% $15,300 $63,126
3 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit 517 99.5% $36,708 $50,318
4 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ · Public 509 58.2% $24,406 $74,479
5 DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL · For-Profit 478 98.4% $30,770 $45,987
6 Cornell University Ithaca, NY · Nonprofit 370 8.8% $28,690 $104,043
7 Florida International University Miami, FL · Public 302 54.7% $9,288 $60,249
8 Villanova University Villanova, PA · Nonprofit 276 27% $43,756 $100,423
9 Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public 270 91.2% $19,550 $63,435
10 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public 262 60.6% $32,875 $63,435
11 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public 250 86.1% $16,674 $59,979
12 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit 234 9.8% $32,740 $92,498
13 Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit 215 3.7% $19,066 $101,817
14 Webster University Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit 198 86.2% $27,047 $50,876
15 Wayne State University Detroit, MI · Public 197 81.2% $12,766 $53,493
16 George Washington University Washington, DC · Nonprofit 191 47.1% $36,586 $90,873
17 Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public 178 57.4% $21,315 $72,097
18 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public 169 83.6% $22,531 $64,762
19 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public 167 79.8% $16,778 $69,020
20 Regent University Virginia Beach, VA · Nonprofit 167 38.1% $19,923 $44,498

Ranked by Human Resources graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Human Resources program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Human Resources Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Human Resources a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $68,069 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $50,612 at graduation to $68,069 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +6.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 78,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Human Resources Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Human Resources graduates earn?
$68,069 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $50,156 and $90,619, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Human Resources degree?
$50,612 in the first year out. That grows to $68,069 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Human Resources degree?
Human Resources Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $149,280 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Human Resources program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Human Resources bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Human Resources?
812 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Human Resources degree worth it?
$68,069 median earnings four years out against $24,164 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Human Resources and Business?
Human Resources is the narrower of the two: Business covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Human Resources-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Human Resources graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Human Resources graduates consistently look for financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Human Resources graduates?
It depends on the program. An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths into management and strategy roles, but the return is strongest at selective schools with strong recruiting pipelines, not everywhere. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Human Resources graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Training and Development Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.4%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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