Human Resources Management and Services at Houghton University

Houghton's HR program sits squarely in the middle of New York's landscape—peer programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $53,300, which aligns with the state median but trails schools like Cornell and Roberts Wesleyan by $13,000 to $20,000. With an estimated $25,000 in debt, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, meaning roughly half a year's salary would go toward repayment. That's manageable compared to many programs, though it assumes you're earning at that mid-tier level rather than closer to Alfred Tech's lower outcomes.

The challenge with HR bachelor's degrees is that they're competing against business majors and certificate holders in a field where experience often matters more than specific credentials. Similar New York programs produce outcomes ranging from $33,600 to over $73,000, suggesting your career trajectory depends heavily on where you land your first job and how quickly you can move into specialist or management roles. The national picture shows comparable numbers, with the median at $50,400 nationwide.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether this specific program justifies private school tuition when SUNY options exist at lower cost. Without actual graduate outcomes from Houghton, you're betting that their career services and alumni network will help your child land closer to the $53,000 mark than the $34,000 floor—a bet that's harder to assess given the 93% admission rate and limited differentiation in this field.