Human Resources Management and Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North

Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North's HR associate program sits exactly at New York's median for first-year earnings at $39,428, putting it in the 60th percentile statewide—meaning it outperforms most other NY programs despite falling slightly below the $40,006 national median. The $27,901 debt load translates to a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, though what happens after graduation raises questions: earnings drop 6% by year four rather than growing.

This backwards earnings trajectory is unusual for HR programs and worth understanding before enrolling. Are graduates moving into roles with better work-life balance? Switching careers? The pattern suggests something beyond typical career progression. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants, Bryant & Stratton clearly serves working-class families who need every dollar to count. The initial salary is workable in upstate New York's job market, but the decline means graduates aren't building momentum in the field.

If your child is specifically targeting HR work in the Syracuse area and values an accessible entry point, the first-year numbers work. But the earnings decline should prompt hard questions about whether this associate degree opens doors or simply gets people in the door—only to see those opportunities narrow rather than expand.