Human Resources Management and Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Median Earnings (1yr)

$51,570

89th percentile

60th percentile in Indiana

Median Debt

$25,422

41% above national median

Analysis

Indiana University-Indianapolis charges more for its HR certificate than most Indiana alternatives, but the earnings premium appears to justify it. At $51,570 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $5,000 more than the state median for this program—and $10,000 more than what Ivy Tech Community College grads typically make. The debt runs higher too ($25,422 versus $19,738 state median), but with a 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates need less than half their first year's salary to cover the cost.

What makes this stand out is the sustained earnings growth: incomes climb to $56,585 by year four, suggesting this certificate actually opens doors rather than just checking a box. Nationally, this program ranks in the 89th percentile for earnings despite being only middle-of-the-pack within Indiana—a reflection of how strong Indiana's HR market is overall. The relatively low debt percentile nationally (17th) confirms you're not overpaying for this premium.

For parents weighing community college versus a four-year institution's certificate, this data suggests IU-Indianapolis delivers tangible value. The extra $6,000 in debt translates to meaningfully higher starting salaries and better trajectory. With an 81% acceptance rate and the program serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students, this isn't an exclusive option—it's an accessible credential that appears to genuinely boost career prospects in Indiana's HR job market.

Where Indiana University-Indianapolis Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-Indianapolis graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Indiana University-Indianapolis	$51,570	$56,585	+10%
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	$64,711	$81,611	+26%
University of Phoenix-Hawaii	$46,304	$63,337	+37%
University of Phoenix-Arizona	$46,304	$63,337	+37%
Ivy Tech Community College	$41,237	$37,035	-10%

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Human Resources Management and Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (9 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$51,570	$56,585	$25,422	0.49
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$41,237	$37,035	$14,054	0.34
National Median	—	$46,304	—	$17,974	0.39

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 Indiana University-Indianapolis, approximately 36% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 114 graduates with reported earnings and 133 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.