Human Resources Management and Services at Judson University

Similar HR programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $52,000—right in line with both state and national medians for this field. With estimated debt of $29,000, Judson's graduates would be looking at a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, meaning roughly half a year's salary needed to cover borrowing. That's workable, though not exceptional when you consider that the national median debt for HR programs is about $27,000.

The challenge here is the limited upside. Based on statewide patterns, Illinois HR programs show a wide earnings range—from around $52,000 at schools like Concordia to over $80,000 at places like Benedictine and Northwestern. Without program-specific data for Judson, you're gambling that they'll match the middle of the pack rather than land toward the lower end. At 40% Pell enrollment and a 985 average SAT, Judson serves a different student population than the top earners, which may affect alumni network strength and employer recruitment.

The bottom line: if your child is set on HR and prefers Judson's environment, comparable programs suggest this won't be a financial disaster. But before committing to nearly $30,000 in debt, confirm the school's actual placement outcomes and alumni network in HR—those details matter more than statewide averages when you're trying to land above that $52,000 baseline.