Human Resources Management and Services: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 35 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$57,908 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
19.5 yrsModeled economic break-even
−49%Modeled 10-year ROI
$51,118Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Observed national outcomes
$51,118Median reported earnings · year 4
$47,121Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,536Median federal debt
57thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
35With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $65,674
- Federal debt
- $18,202
- Reporting programs
- 21
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,118
- Federal debt
- $26,536
- Reporting programs
- 35
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $67,012
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 209
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $79,454
- Federal debt
- $20,250
- Reporting programs
- 3
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $81,091
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 178
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $119,182
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $66,776
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 22
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,962
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$49,217National median$51,11875th percentile$60,288
35 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
35 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1Empire State UniversitySaratoga Springs, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$90,619Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,6762Waukesha County Technical CollegePewaukee, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$64,571Federal debt$12,307Annual net price$11,1013Clark State CollegeSpringfield, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$63,741Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,1354Columbus State Community CollegeColumbus, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$62,475Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$8,4005San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisalia, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$61,623Federal debt$20,000Annual net price$27,8546Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$60,626Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,1577Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala, FL · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$60,288Federal debt$26,536Annual net price$21,9098Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$60,288Federal debt$26,536Annual net price$17,9629Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo, ND · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$60,288Federal debt$26,536Annual net priceNot available10Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford, IL · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$60,288Federal debt$26,536Annual net price$19,85411Rasmussen University-WisconsinGreen Bay, WI · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$60,288Federal debt$26,536Annual net priceNot available12Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka, KS · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$60,288Federal debt$26,536Annual net price$23,98013Madison Area Technical CollegeMadison, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,326Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$14,23814Herkimer County Community CollegeHerkimer, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,323Federal debt$20,813Annual net price$13,41915Saint Paul CollegeSaint Paul, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,104Federal debt$30,562Annual net price$11,49516Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeGreen Bay, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,650Federal debt$13,663Annual net price$9,91817Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$51,687Federal debt$14,923Annual net price$11,40718Western Technical CollegeLa Crosse, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$51,118Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,00819Bryant & Stratton College-AlbanyAlbany, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$12,44320Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse NorthLiverpool, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$15,21721Bryant & Stratton College-BuffaloBuffalo, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$14,13522Bryant & Stratton College-GreeceRochester, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$11,50323Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia BeachVirginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$12,03824Bryant & Stratton College-WauwatosaWauwatosa, WI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$14,85825Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineOrchard Park, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,600Federal debt$27,901Annual net price$15,187
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Empire State University$90,6192Waukesha County Technical College$64,5713Clark State College$63,7414Columbus State Community College$62,4755San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia$61,6236Baker College$60,6267Rasmussen University-Florida$60,2888Rasmussen University-Minnesota$60,2889Rasmussen University-North Dakota$60,28810Rasmussen University-Illinois$60,288Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-8%Projected employment growth →13%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
Human Resources Managers$149,280 median wage220,660 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3121+5.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 16.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$88,200–$267,810 10th–90th percentileBusiness Teachers, Postsecondary$99,080 median wage82,150 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1011+5.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 7.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$47,180–$209,470 10th–90th percentileHuman Resources Specialists$75,940 median wage912,430 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1071+6.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 73.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$47,180–$128,720 10th–90th percentileCompensation and Benefits Managers$149,230 median wage22,940 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3111+1.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$89,160–$256,570 10th–90th percentileTraining and Development Managers$133,000 median wage48,050 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3131+6.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$79,550–$233,600 10th–90th percentileLabor Relations Specialists$95,420 median wage64,810 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1075+2.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$50,490–$156,180 10th–90th percentileTraining and Development Specialists$69,280 median wage458,300 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1151+10.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 46k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$38,760–$123,250 10th–90th percentileCompliance Officers$80,730 median wage417,070 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1041+3.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 32.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$48,220–$133,720 10th–90th percentileHuman Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610 median wage90,220 U.S. jobs · SOC 43-4161-6.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 7.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$37,340–$68,280 10th–90th percentileLaw Teachers, Postsecondary$128,500 median wage20,060 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1112+2.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$64,250–$287,900 10th–90th percentileCompensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$78,210 median wage112,380 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1141+6.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$49,480–$128,920 10th–90th percentileEducational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$64,330 median wage353,310 U.S. jobs · SOC 21-1012+2.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 27.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$45,020–$104,770 10th–90th percentile
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empire State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $90,619 | Not available | +302% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Waukesha County Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pewaukee, WI | $64,571 | $12,307 | +74% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Clark State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Springfield, OH | $63,741 | Not available | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Columbus State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbus, OH | $62,475 | Not available | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaAssociate's Degree | Visalia, CA | $61,623 | $20,000 | +14% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Baker CollegeAssociate's Degree | Owosso, MI | $60,626 | Not available | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Rasmussen University-FloridaAssociate's Degree | Ocala, FL | $60,288 | $26,536 | +14% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Rasmussen University-MinnesotaAssociate's Degree | St. Cloud, MN | $60,288 | $26,536 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | Rasmussen University-North DakotaAssociate's Degree | Fargo, ND | $60,288 | $26,536 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 10 | Rasmussen University-IllinoisAssociate's Degree | Rockford, IL | $60,288 | $26,536 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | Rasmussen University-WisconsinAssociate's Degree | Green Bay, WI | $60,288 | $26,536 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 12 | Rasmussen University-KansasAssociate's Degree | Topeka, KS | $60,288 | $26,536 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | Madison Area Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Madison, WI | $56,326 | Not available | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Herkimer County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Herkimer, NY | $56,323 | $20,813 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Saint Paul CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $55,104 | $30,562 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Green Bay, WI | $53,650 | $13,663 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Fox Valley Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Appleton, WI | $51,687 | $14,923 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Western Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | La Crosse, WI | $51,118 | Not available | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Bryant & Stratton College-AlbanyAssociate's Degree | Albany, NY | $50,600 | $27,901 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse NorthAssociate's Degree | Liverpool, NY | $50,600 | $27,901 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Bryant & Stratton College-BuffaloAssociate's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $50,600 | $27,901 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Bryant & Stratton College-GreeceAssociate's Degree | Rochester, NY | $50,600 | $27,901 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia BeachAssociate's Degree | Virginia Beach, VA | $50,600 | $27,901 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Bryant & Stratton College-WauwatosaAssociate's Degree | Wauwatosa, WI | $50,600 | $27,901 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineAssociate's Degree | Orchard Park, NY | $50,600 | $27,901 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Minnesota State Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fergus Falls, MN | $49,930 | $18,261 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Lakeshore Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, WI | $49,217 | Not available | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Blackhawk Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Janesville, WI | $49,182 | Not available | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Eau Claire, WI | $48,882 | $16,000 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Moraine Park Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fond du Lac, WI | $47,807 | $16,261 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Alaska Career CollegeAssociate's Degree | Anchorage, AK | $47,518 | $20,000 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Cuyahoga Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $45,216 | $21,439 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Ohio Business College-SheffieldAssociate's Degree | Sheffield Village, OH | $43,020 | $35,666 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Hawkeye Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Waterloo, IA | $40,401 | Not available | -142% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Fortis College-CentervilleAssociate's Degree | Centerville, OH | $35,218 | Not available | -166% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.