Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Cornell College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$49,512

Est. from IA median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,375

Est. from IA median (5 programs)

Analysis

Cornell's Human Resources program carries an estimated $27,375 in debt—slightly above the national median for HR programs—while similar programs across Iowa suggest first-year earnings around $49,512. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 sits in reasonable territory, meaning graduates would theoretically owe just over half their first year's salary. The challenge here is uncertainty: with data suppressed due to small sample sizes, we're looking at what peer programs produce rather than Cornell's actual track record.

What makes this particularly tricky is the wide range among Iowa's HR programs. Waldorf University graduates reportedly earn $77,897 in their first year—nearly 60% more than the state median this estimate is based on. Meanwhile, other comparable Iowa schools cluster around $48,000-$53,000. Without knowing where Cornell actually falls in this spectrum, you're essentially betting on which end of the range is realistic. The 81% admission rate and moderate test scores suggest Cornell serves a broad student population, which could mean outcomes closer to the middle of the pack than the top.

If your child is set on HR and values Cornell's one-course-at-a-time academic approach, the estimated debt load isn't catastrophic. But given that comparable programs exist with proven track records in the same price range, you'd want concrete evidence—employment reports, alumni outcomes, internship placements—that Cornell's program specifically justifies this investment over schools with transparent data.

Where Cornell College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (14 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Cornell CollegeMount Vernon	$50,634	$49,512*	—	$27,375*	—
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$77,897*	$68,524	$32,111*	0.41
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$52,945*	$67,540	$23,149*	0.44
Grand View UniversityDes Moines	$33,450	$49,917*	$63,128	$27,375*	0.55
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette	$19,000	$49,106*	$48,961	$41,006*	0.84
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids	$39,070	$48,722*	$52,422	$29,225*	0.60
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 Cornell College, approximately 29% 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 6 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.