Human Resources Management and Services at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia's HR program costs nearly $10,000 more in debt than typical Michigan HR programs, but graduates start at $58,982—about $8,000 above both state and national medians. At a 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio, this debt is manageable, though not quite the bargain you might expect given the premium you're paying. For context, this program outperforms roughly 90% of HR programs nationally but ranks more middling against Michigan competition, falling behind powerhouses like U-M Ann Arbor ($82,714) and even mid-tier options like Michigan State ($56,501).

The real concern here is stagnation: earnings barely budge between years one and four, growing just 2%. That's unusual for business-adjacent programs where professionals typically advance into management roles with meaningful raises. It suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling quickly, possibly lacking the advancement opportunities that come with stronger alumni networks or more competitive positioning.

For anxious parents, the question becomes whether you're comfortable paying above-average debt for above-average but plateauing salaries. The starting salary is solid and the debt remains serviceable, but you're not getting the same trajectory or earnings ceiling as nearby alternatives. If your student is committed to HR and can't access more competitive programs, this works—just understand you're paying a bit more for results that level off faster than you'd hope.