Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Kent State University at Kent

Median Earnings (1yr)

$47,983

34th percentile

60th percentile in Ohio

Median Debt

$22,888

14% below national median

Analysis

Kent State's HR program lands squarely in the middle of Ohio's offerings—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—which tells you something important: while it trails the national median by about $2,400 annually, it actually outperforms most Ohio alternatives. With nearly $23,000 in debt and first-year earnings just under $48,000, your child would face manageable monthly loan payments that shouldn't overwhelm an entry-level HR salary. The 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably in the acceptable range for a professional degree.

The gap between Kent State and Ohio's top programs is worth noting—Walsh University graduates earn nearly $33,000 more in their first year, and even Ohio State grads start $11,000 higher. However, those comparisons need context: Kent State's 87% admission rate and moderate selectivity suggest it serves a broader student population, and the tuition difference may make up some of that earnings gap over time.

For a student interested in HR who plans to stay in Ohio, this program offers reliable job placement at a reasonable price. The debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings put graduates ahead of most peers at similar Ohio schools. It's a solid middle-of-the-road choice—not elite outcomes, but far from risky.

Where Kent State University at Kent Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Kent State University at Kent graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (35 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Kent State University at KentKent	$12,846	$47,983	—	$22,888	0.48
Walsh UniversityNorth Canton	$34,595	$80,566	—	$29,812	0.37
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$58,991	$64,319	$19,500	0.33
Bluffton UniversityBluffton	$36,298	$55,253	—	$35,001	0.63
University of Akron Main CampusAkron	$12,799	$51,422	$55,723	$20,750	0.40
John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights	$49,100	$50,938	—	$20,000	0.39
National Median	—	$50,361	—	$26,625	0.53

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 Kent State University at Kent, approximately 27% 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 31 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.