Analysis
Iowa's human resources programs show significant variation in graduate outcomes, with first-year earnings ranging from around $48,000 to nearly $78,000 depending on the institution. Saint Ambrose's estimated figures—$49,512 in earnings and $27,375 in debt—place it squarely in the middle of this range, tracking closely with both state and national medians for HR bachelor's programs. Since these numbers are derived from peer programs rather than Saint Ambrose's actual graduates, they represent a reasonable baseline expectation rather than a guarantee.
The 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests a manageable repayment scenario if the estimates hold true, with debt sitting at about half of first-year income. That's workable under standard repayment plans, though not exceptional. What's harder to gauge is whether Saint Ambrose delivers outcomes closer to the state median or whether it might perform like top-tier Iowa programs such as Waldorf (nearly $78,000) or the University of Iowa ($53,000). The school's 73% admission rate and moderate Pell enrollment (28%) don't immediately signal either elite outcomes or warning flags.
The safe assumption here is that your student would land somewhere near the Iowa median for HR programs—decent but unremarkable returns. If Saint Ambrose has specific employer connections or internship pipelines in HR, those practical factors could matter more than these estimates. Without actual graduate data, you're betting on this program performing at least as well as comparable Iowa schools.
Where Saint Ambrose University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,598 | $49,512* | — | $27,375* | — | |
| $25,220 | $77,897* | $68,524 | $32,111* | 0.41 | |
| $10,964 | $52,945* | $67,540 | $23,149* | 0.44 | |
| $33,450 | $49,917* | $63,128 | $27,375* | 0.55 | |
| $19,000 | $49,106* | $48,961 | $41,006* | 0.84 | |
| $39,070 | $48,722* | $52,422 | $29,225* | 0.60 | |
| 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 Saint Ambrose University, approximately 28% 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 IA. Actual outcomes may vary.