Human Resources Management and Services at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's HR program produces graduates who earn slightly above the Missouri median ($57,168 at year four versus $50,798 statewide), ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's dozen HR programs. More importantly, graduates leave with $27,000 in debt—about $4,000 less than the typical Missouri HR student—while earning comparable or better salaries. That's a meaningful advantage in a field where starting salaries hover in the low-to-mid $50,000s.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means your child would owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is manageable for an HR career. The 9% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests reasonable progression, though HR generally isn't known for explosive salary growth. At around $57,000 four years out, graduates are earning enough to handle their debt payments while building careers, particularly in St. Louis where the cost of living remains reasonable.

This program delivers what you'd expect: solid preparation for an HR career without excessive debt. It's not going to catapult anyone into six-figure territory, but that's true of HR programs generally. If your child is genuinely interested in human resources and wants a reputable degree from an established university, the combination of below-average debt and above-average Missouri earnings makes this a sensible choice.