Human Resources Management and Services at Concordia University-Wisconsin

Concordia University-Wisconsin's HR program commands a premium price—$37,050 in median debt versus Wisconsin's $28,368 median—but delivers the highest starting salaries in the state at $58,982. That puts graduates nearly $5,000 ahead of the next-best program (Rasmussen at $56,465) and ranks in the 90th percentile nationally, well above the national median of $50,361.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 means graduates can expect to earn back their full debt burden in less than eight months—a strong position for entry into the workforce. However, earnings growth from year one to year four is modest at just 2%, suggesting most of the financial benefit comes from that strong initial placement rather than accelerated advancement. The higher debt load appears justified by the consistently top-tier earnings, but families should recognize they're paying for market entry advantage, not necessarily faster career progression.

For students confident about pursuing HR careers, this program offers Wisconsin's best starting position. The extra $8,682 in debt compared to the state median is offset by approximately $14,000 more in first-year earnings versus the typical Wisconsin HR graduate. That's a trade many families will find worthwhile, particularly given the manageable overall debt level.