Human Resources Management and Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

At nearly $40,000 in first-year earnings, this program hits the state median for HR associate degrees in Virginia—which initially sounds reasonable. But that 60th percentile ranking is misleading: only two schools in Virginia offer this program, making state-level comparisons less meaningful. More telling is the national picture, where these graduates land at just the 25th percentile, earning roughly $600 less than peers at other schools. The bigger red flag? Earnings drop 6% by year four, falling to $36,901, while debt sits at $27,901. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, that 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio hits harder for families already stretched thin financially.

The fundamental issue is the earnings trajectory. Most associate degrees see at least modest salary growth as graduates gain experience, but this program moves in the opposite direction. Whether that reflects limited advancement opportunities in entry-level HR roles or industry-specific factors in the Virginia Beach area, it means graduates spend their early career years making less money while managing the same debt load. At comparable schools nationally, HR graduates typically earn more right out of the gate and maintain stronger earnings four years later.

For families considering this investment, the math is straightforward: you're borrowing three-quarters of first-year earnings for credentials that underperform nationally and lead to declining pay. If HR is the goal, investigating the handful of other schools offering this associate degree—and their employment outcomes—would be prudent before committing here.