Human Resources Management and Services at Northwestern University

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.