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

Median Earnings (1yr)

$82,255

95th percentile

Median Debt

$38,832

46% above national median

Analysis

Northwestern's Human Resources program commands nearly double what most HR grads earn nationally ($82,255 vs. $50,361), and the debt load is modest by Northwestern standards at just under $39,000. Among Illinois HR programs, this ties with Benedictine for the highest earnings—both significantly outpacing the state median of $51,763. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates could theoretically repay their loans in about six months of gross earnings, which is exceptional.

The caveat here is significant: the sample size is small, under 30 graduates. That means a few high earners could be skewing the numbers upward, and outcomes might not be as consistent as they would be for a larger program. Northwestern's prestige and networking advantages are real, but this specific major isn't their primary focus.

For families who can manage Northwestern's total cost of attendance (this debt figure only captures federal loans), the earning power appears strong. But given the small cohort size and the fact that you're paying Northwestern tuition for what's essentially a business administration skillset, compare carefully against the school's other business-focused programs. The earnings advantage over a state school HR program is substantial—roughly $30,000 annually—but verify whether that premium holds as more graduates enter the workforce.

Where Northwestern University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Northwestern University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Northwestern UniversityEvanston	$65,997	$82,255	—	$38,832	0.47
Benedictine UniversityLisle	$34,290	$83,475	$70,999	$31,872	0.38
Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford	$13,546	$56,465	$56,152	$38,233	0.68
North Central CollegeNaperville	$44,394	$53,587	$54,317	$24,314	0.45
Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest	$36,258	$51,763	—	$34,419	0.66
Lewis UniversityRomeoville	$37,882	$50,361	$60,962	$27,000	0.54
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 Northwestern University, approximately 19% 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 20 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.