Human Resources Management and Services at Emporia State University

This program's graduates earn nearly $11,000 below the Kansas median for HR programs and $12,000 below the national average—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally. Even among Kansas schools, where Emporia State ranks 25th percentile, competitors like Friends University and Rasmussen produce graduates earning $15,000-$18,000 more annually. That gap represents real money: over a decade, it could mean $150,000+ in lost earnings compared to graduates from top Kansas programs.

The debt load of $21,257 is reasonable and about $5,000 below the Kansas median, which helps the overall picture. The 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates carry debt equal to about seven months of their first-year salary—manageable but tied to underwhelming earnings. The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers might not reflect the full range of outcomes. A few graduates in lower-paying roles could drag down the average significantly.

For parents considering this program, the central question is whether the accessible admissions (98% acceptance rate) and lower debt justify earnings that lag so far behind both state and national peers. Unless your child has specific ties to Emporia State, exploring alternatives like Friends University or even the Ottawa University system—which match the state median—could yield significantly better financial outcomes without substantially more debt.