Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Mount Mercy University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$48,722

39th percentile

40th percentile in Iowa

Median Debt

$29,225

10% above national median

Analysis

Mount Mercy's HR program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—sitting at the 40th percentile both nationally and within Iowa. With first-year earnings of $48,722, graduates earn about $800 less than the state median and roughly $1,600 below the national benchmark. The $29,225 debt load is slightly higher than typical for HR programs, though the 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. Looking across Iowa's 14 HR programs, Mount Mercy trails the top performers significantly: Waldorf graduates earn 60% more, and even University of Iowa grads out-earn Mount Mercy graduates by $4,200 annually.

The 8% earnings growth from year one to year four is modest but positive, pushing graduates to $52,422. This steady trajectory suggests stable career progression, though not the kind of rapid advancement that would dramatically improve the program's competitive position. For a private university charging private-school tuition, these outcomes look ordinary rather than exceptional.

If your child is set on HR and has strong ties to Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy offers a serviceable path into the field without crushing debt. But if you're comparing options across Iowa, the numbers suggest looking closely at University of Iowa or Grand View, both of which deliver better earnings outcomes at similar or lower debt levels. Mount Mercy isn't a poor choice—it's just not a standout one.

Where Mount Mercy University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Mount Mercy University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Mount Mercy University	$48,722	$52,422	+8%
Waldorf University	$77,897	$68,524	-12%
University of Iowa	$52,945	$67,540	+28%
Grand View University	$49,917	$63,128	+26%
Upper Iowa University	$49,106	$48,961	-0%

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (14 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids	$39,070	$48,722	$52,422	$29,225	0.60
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$77,897	$68,524	$32,111	0.41
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$52,945	$67,540	$23,149	0.44
Grand View UniversityDes Moines	$33,450	$49,917	$63,128	$27,375	0.55
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette	$19,000	$49,106	$48,961	$41,006	0.84
University of DubuqueDubuque	$40,065	$48,657	—	$27,000	0.55
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 Mount Mercy University, 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.

Sample Size: Based on 49 graduates with reported earnings and 61 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.