Human Resources Management and Services at McKendree University

McKendree's HR program graduates $2,300 below the Illinois state median—landing in just the 40th percentile among the 24 HR programs across the state. With small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked), these figures deserve scrutiny, but the trajectory isn't encouraging: graduates start at $49,505 and reach only $56,526 after four years, which trails programs at North Central, Concordia, and Rasmussen by meaningful margins.

The debt picture offers a silver lining at $24,625, coming in below both state and national medians. That translates to a 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable territory where loan payments won't overwhelm entry-level budgets. The 14% earnings growth over four years follows typical career progression for HR roles, though starting from a below-average baseline matters when building long-term earning potential.

Here's the practical concern: Illinois offers stronger options in this field at similar price points. If your child is specifically drawn to McKendree's campus or has compelling reasons to attend (scholarship package, proximity to home, fit with the student body), the debt load won't be crushing. But purely from an HR career investment standpoint, you're looking at a program that performs below the middle of the pack in a state with competitive alternatives. The limited sample size adds uncertainty—this could improve with more data, or it could mask deeper challenges with career services or employer connections in HR fields.