Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
The estimated $25,000 debt load for Black Hills State's HR program sits comfortably below the national median of $26,625 for similar bachelor's degrees, while projected first-year earnings of roughly $50,000 track right at the national benchmark. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50, graduates would theoretically face manageable repayment—about half their first-year salary. However, these figures come from national peer programs rather than actual Black Hills State outcomes, so they represent what *typically* happens in HR programs elsewhere, not what this specific school delivers.
The lack of reported data isn't necessarily a red flag—small graduate cohorts trigger DOE privacy protections—but it does mean you're essentially betting on Black Hills State matching national norms. Given the school's 94% admission rate and below-average SAT scores, there's reasonable uncertainty about whether outcomes here will mirror more selective programs. HR is a stable field with consistent entry-level opportunities, which works in your favor, but without school-specific earnings data, you're making decisions somewhat blind. If your child has offers from South Dakota schools with actual reported outcomes—even in related business fields—those numbers would give you firmer ground for comparison than these national estimates.
Where Black Hills State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,000 | $50,361* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $34,290 | $83,475* | $70,999 | $31,872* | 0.38 | |
| $17,228 | $82,714* | $92,289 | $14,225* | 0.17 | |
| $65,997 | $82,255* | — | $38,832* | 0.47 | |
| $34,595 | $80,566* | — | $29,812* | 0.37 | |
| $25,220 | $77,897* | $68,524 | $32,111* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | — | $50,361* | — | $26,625* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Training and Development Managers
Labor Relations Specialists
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Coroners
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Black Hills State University, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 169 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.