Human Resources Management and Services at Columbia College

Columbia College's HR program graduates earn slightly below both the Missouri median ($50,798) and the national average ($50,361), placing it in the 40th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful gap when students here are taking on $35,000 in debt—notably higher than both the Missouri median ($30,875) and the national figure ($26,625). The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio sits right at the threshold where financing becomes uncomfortable, requiring nearly nine months of gross income to repay just the principal.

What's more concerning is the minimal earnings trajectory: graduates see only a 5% increase from year one to year four, moving from $49,326 to $51,601. For context, top programs in Missouri like Saint Louis University show first-year earnings above $52,000, suggesting Columbia's graduates may be accessing different segments of the HR job market. With 44% of students on Pell grants, many are likely counting on this degree as an economic mobility tool.

The fundamentals here—below-average earnings paired with above-average debt and limited income growth—create a challenging repayment scenario. Unless your child has specific connections to employers who value Columbia's network or can significantly reduce costs through scholarships, other Missouri options offer better starting positions in the HR field for similar or lower debt loads.