Human Resources Management and Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Montana State University Billings

Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated

$46,304

Est. from national median (13 programs)

Est. Median DebtEstimated

$21,532

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

A certificate in HR management that generates estimated debt of $21,532 against first-year earnings around $46,000 creates a manageable but not exceptional financial picture. Based on comparable certificate programs nationally, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a few years—though this assumes steady employment in HR roles, which isn't guaranteed with a certificate alone in a field where bachelor's degrees dominate.

The challenge here is less about the numbers and more about what a certificate actually buys you in human resources. Montana's job market for HR is limited, and most professional HR positions require at least a bachelor's degree. Peer programs nationally suggest earnings in the mid-$40,000s, which aligns with entry-level administrative or HR assistant roles—positions where you're competing against candidates with four-year degrees. If your student already has a bachelor's in another field and is pivoting to HR, this could make sense as a credential-builder. If they're starting from scratch, the certificate may leave them underqualified for the roles they're aiming for.

The straightforward question: will this certificate actually open doors that wouldn't otherwise be available, or will your student need to continue their education anyway? Given the estimated debt load and the competitive reality of HR hiring, this works best as a strategic add-on rather than a standalone credential.

Where Montana State University Billings Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Human Resources Management and Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Montana State University BillingsBillings	$6,706	$46,304*	—	$21,532*	—
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh	$21,524	$64,711*	$81,611	$22,000*	0.34
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$53,029*	$52,161	$27,921*	0.53
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$51,570*	$56,585	$25,422*	0.49
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis	$16,488	$48,970*	$59,448	$21,532*	0.44
University of Phoenix-HawaiiKapolei	—	$46,304*	$63,337	$12,785*	0.28
National Median	—	$46,304*	—	$17,974*	0.39

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Montana State University Billings, approximately 26% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 13 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.