Human Resources Management and Services at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

Rasmussen's HR program in Fargo delivers surprisingly strong outcomes for an associate degree, matching the national 75th percentile with first-year earnings of $45,969—about $6,000 above what most HR associate programs produce. The debt load of $26,536 is perfectly in line with national norms, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 that graduates can typically pay down within a reasonable timeframe. With nearly half the students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to be successfully launching students from modest backgrounds into solid middle-class careers.

The North Dakota context tells a more nuanced story. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile statewide, that's largely because there are only two HR programs in the state, making the comparison less meaningful. What matters more is the absolute earning power: $45,969 goes considerably further in Fargo than in coastal metros, and the 8% earnings growth to $49,585 by year four suggests graduates are building stable careers rather than hitting early dead ends.

For families weighing this investment, the math works. Your child would graduate with debt equivalent to about seven months of their starting salary, earning more than most associate-level HR graduates nationally while living in an affordable region. The moderate sample size means individual results will vary, but the fundamentals—strong starting wages, reasonable debt, and steady growth—point to a program that delivers what it promises.