Human Resources Management and Services at Central Ohio Technical College

An estimated $16,261 in debt for an associate's degree in human resources puts Central Ohio Technical College well below what similar programs typically carry. The national median debt for HR associate's programs sits at $26,536, and in Ohio specifically, comparable programs average $35,666—meaning this program appears to require roughly half the borrowing of its peers. That's meaningful savings on a credential that peer programs suggest leads to around $40,000 in first-year earnings.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 indicates graduates would need to dedicate about 41% of their first year's salary to eliminate the debt—manageable territory that should allow for reasonable monthly payments. Given that a quarter of students here receive Pell grants, the lower debt burden could matter considerably for families without substantial financial cushion. Human resources roles often value experience and certification alongside education, so entering the field with less debt provides more flexibility to take entry-level positions that build toward better opportunities.

The caveat: these figures are drawn from peer institutions since this specific program's outcomes aren't publicly reported, likely due to small cohort sizes. Still, the pattern holds—Central Ohio Technical College's estimated debt load appears substantially lower than state and national norms for this field, which should position graduates to manage repayment without undue strain.