Analysis
When comparable HR programs in Indiana suggest first-year earnings around $49,000 against estimated debt of $30,000, the basic math looks workable—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 falls within manageable territory. But context matters here. Oakland City's estimated figures align with the state median for HR bachelor's programs, yet several Indiana schools with actual reported data show graduates earning notably more. Indiana Wesleyan's graduates, for instance, start around $57,000, while even Ball State checks in at $47,000 with likely lower debt loads given the state school advantage.
The challenge is uncertainty. These estimates come from peer programs because Oakland City's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That could mean the program is very small, very new, or seeing low completion rates—all factors that should prompt deeper investigation. HR is typically a stable career path with steady entry-level opportunities, but the field rewards networking and internship connections that larger programs may more readily provide. Before committing to $30,000 in loans for a program operating without publicly verifiable graduate outcomes, your family needs direct answers from Oakland City about job placement rates, employer partnerships, and where recent graduates actually landed.
Where Oakland City University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (17 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $27,150 | $49,225* | — | $30,016* | — | |
| $31,168 | $56,752* | $51,543 | $51,703* | 0.91 | |
| $8,216 | $56,752* | — | —* | — | |
| $10,110 | $50,810* | — | $44,834* | 0.88 | |
| $8,419 | $47,640* | — | $26,486* | 0.56 | |
| $10,758 | $47,451* | $59,740 | $20,500* | 0.43 | |
| National Median | — | $50,361* | — | $26,625* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Training and Development Managers
Labor Relations Specialists
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Coroners
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
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 Oakland City University, approximately 32% 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 median of 6 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.