Human Resources Management and Services at Lipscomb University

Lipscomb's HR program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for graduate earnings—a significant red flag given the $26,298 in typical debt. Starting at $38,493, graduates earn about $12,000 less than the national median for HR programs and lag behind Tennessee's state median of $44,224 by nearly $6,000. That 40th percentile ranking among Tennessee programs means you're paying private university prices for below-average state outcomes. For perspective, UT-Knoxville's HR graduates start at nearly $50,000—$11,000 more annually.

The 18% earnings growth to $45,393 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates still trail national benchmarks substantially. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, the financial picture isn't catastrophic, but you're looking at manageable debt paired with disappointing earning potential. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—these numbers could shift with more data, but they're what prospective students have to work with now.

For families considering this program, the central question is whether Lipscomb's environment justifies starting your career $12,000 behind national peers in the same field. If your child can access Tennessee's public universities or more competitive HR programs elsewhere, the data suggests exploring those options first.