Human Resources Management and Services at Lindenwood University

Lindenwood's HR management program produces graduates who earn just below the Missouri median—landing at the 40th percentile among the state's 12 programs—while carrying debt levels that exceed both state and national norms. First-year earnings of $50,426 trail Park University ($51,169) and Saint Louis University ($52,377), though the gap is modest. More concerning is the debt load: at $34,750, it's $4,000 above Missouri's median and nearly $8,000 above the national benchmark for this degree.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 isn't catastrophic, but combined with essentially flat earnings growth over four years (just 2%), it suggests graduates will spend considerable time working down their loans without much income acceleration. This pattern is particularly problematic for HR roles, where early career advancement often determines long-term trajectory. The program performs at the national median for earnings but in the bottom fifth nationally for debt—a disconnect that favors schools with better financial aid.

For Missouri families, Park University delivers similar outcomes with likely lower costs, while Saint Louis University offers stronger earnings for those willing to invest more upfront. Lindenwood could work if your child receives substantial merit aid to bring that debt figure down closer to $25,000, but at sticker price, the numbers don't argue strongly in its favor compared to in-state alternatives.