Human Resources Management and Services at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State's HR program graduates face a troubling reality: they're earning less four years after graduation than they did in year one, with the four-year median dropping to just $39,192. This puts them far behind most HR graduates nationally (5th percentile) and well below the Ohio median of $45,244. For context, Ohio State's HR grads earn 50% more, and even mid-tier programs like Akron produce significantly stronger outcomes.

The debt burden itself isn't extreme at $27,000—slightly above the state median but manageable at two-thirds of first-year earnings. The real concern is the earnings trajectory: graduates aren't advancing in their careers at the rate you'd expect in HR, a field where experience typically leads to higher compensation. This suggests either weak employer connections, insufficient training in high-value HR specializations, or a local market challenge that other Ohio programs seem to navigate more successfully.

With a 95% admission rate and below-average test scores, Cleveland State serves many first-generation and lower-income students (39% receive Pell grants). While the university clearly provides access, this particular program isn't delivering the career outcomes that justify even moderate debt. If HR management is the goal, programs at Akron, John Carroll, or Ohio State offer substantially better earning potential for comparable or similar debt levels. Cleveland State students might find stronger returns in the university's other professional programs.