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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,786

Est. from CA median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$30,016

Est. from national median (72 programs)

Analysis

A $30,000 debt load might initially seem manageable for a Chapman graduate, but when similar HR programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $49,000, you're looking at borrowing costs that could strain an entry-level budget. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 sits above the comfort threshold most financial advisors recommend, particularly in a field where the national median starting salary is only slightly higher at $50,000.

What complicates the picture here is Chapman's premium pricing compared to outcomes. While the university attracts competitive students (average SAT of 1353), the estimated earnings track closely with the state median—yet the debt estimate exceeds what most California HR programs require. The top-performing programs in the state show starting salaries reaching $55,000 to $65,000, suggesting the field can deliver better returns, but peer programs at Chapman aren't placing graduates in those higher brackets.

For parents weighing this investment, the core question is whether Chapman's overall educational experience justifies borrowing more for similar career outcomes. If your child needs substantial loans to attend, programs at CSU schools or other institutions in California's robust HR market might offer comparable career preparation at considerably lower cost. If Chapman is affordable through other means, the program appears solid—just not exceptional enough to warrant significant debt over alternatives.

Where Chapman University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Chapman UniversityOrange	$62,784	$48,786*	—	$30,016*	—
University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo	$12,520	$65,673*	$66,122	$22,979*	0.35
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario	—	$57,983*	$51,907	$50,470*	0.87
Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno	$35,558	$55,616*	$59,185	$27,155*	0.49
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$51,118*	$50,031	$41,117*	0.80
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach	$7,008	$46,453*	$56,388	$12,733*	0.27
National Median	—	$50,361*	—	$26,625*	0.53

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Chapman University, approximately 20% 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 median of 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.