Human Resources Management and Services at Alaska Career College

Alaska Career College's associate program in HR management operates in a challenging context—there are only two schools offering this credential in Alaska, and this one serves a predominantly working-class student population. The $36,546 first-year salary falls short of the national median by about $3,500, landing this program in just the 5th percentile nationally. However, that state ranking of 60th percentile tells you it's actually the better of Alaska's two options, which speaks more to the state's limited HR training infrastructure than to any particular strength here.

The debt picture offers modest relief: $20,000 is below the national median and translates to a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio. An anxious parent should be able to sleep reasonably well knowing their child could handle those payments on an entry-level HR salary. But the real caution here is the tiny sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing dramatically year to year.

For an Alaskan student specifically interested in HR work who wants to stay local, this program at least keeps debt reasonable while providing basic credentials. But if your child has the flexibility to attend school outside Alaska or pursue a bachelor's degree elsewhere, the national data suggests they'd likely find stronger earning potential. This is a functional option for students with geographic constraints, not a standout opportunity.