Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Bluffton University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$55,253

72nd percentile

60th percentile in Ohio

Median Debt

$35,001

31% above national median

Analysis

Bluffton University's HR program graduates earn nearly $10,000 more than the typical Ohio HR graduate—a meaningful advantage that places them above 60% of in-state programs. At $55,253, these earnings also exceed the national median by nearly 10%, suggesting Bluffton's regional approach and employer connections translate into real job placement success. The debt picture is equally strong: at $35,001, graduates carry significantly more than the typical HR student, but still land in the 16th percentile nationally (meaning 84% of programs burden students with more debt). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, graduates can realistically manage repayment on an HR salary.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, one or two exceptional outcomes could skew these numbers. A single graduate landing a corporate role in Columbus or Cleveland could pull the median upward, while a few unlucky breaks could drag it down. That said, the data aligns with what you'd expect from a small private college in rural Ohio—solid regional outcomes without the premium salaries seen at Walsh ($80,566) or Ohio State ($58,991).

For families comfortable with the uncertainty of a small sample, this program appears to deliver value. The combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt suggests Bluffton prepares HR graduates well for the Ohio job market, though you're paying more upfront than at many competitors.

Where Bluffton University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Bluffton University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (35 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Bluffton UniversityBluffton	$36,298	$55,253	—	$35,001	0.63
Walsh UniversityNorth Canton	$34,595	$80,566	—	$29,812	0.37
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$58,991	$64,319	$19,500	0.33
University of Akron Main CampusAkron	$12,799	$51,422	$55,723	$20,750	0.40
John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights	$49,100	$50,938	—	$20,000	0.39
Franklin UniversityColumbus	$9,577	$50,827	$57,339	$39,418	0.78
National Median	—	$50,361	—	$26,625	0.53

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates

Compensation and Benefits Managers

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

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

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

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Managers

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

$127,090/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Labor Relations Specialists

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

$93,500/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Law Teachers, Postsecondary

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

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

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.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Bluffton University, approximately 37% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.