Analysis
The four-year earnings figure tells an unusual story: graduates at this program earn *less* four years out ($49,364) than they do in their first year after finishing ($53,317 based on comparable NY programs). While first-year earnings align with typical HR programs statewide, this backward trajectory raises questions about career progression that similar programs don't show. Nationally, HR bachelor's graduates typically see steady advancement in their 20s, not stagnation or decline.
The estimated $25,000 debt load sits right at New York's median for HR programs, creating a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio if that first-year estimate holds. But the real concern isn't the borrowing—it's what happens after year one. If earnings truly plateau or dip in the mid-$40,000s while peers at other NY programs maintain upward momentum, you're looking at a longer financial recovery than the initial ratio suggests. The gap between St. John Fisher and stronger performers like Roberts Wesleyan ($66,063) or even SUNY Oswego ($42,900 with likely lower debt) becomes meaningful over time.
For HR specifically, where relationship-building and regional employer networks matter tremendously, understand that these estimates can't tell you whether St. John Fisher's Rochester connections deliver the career outcomes your family needs. The four-year number is actual data for this program, though, and it's the one concrete signal you have—and it's pointing downward when it should climb.
Where St. John Fisher University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John Fisher University | — | $49,364 | — |
| Cornell University | $73,436 | $94,446 | +29% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $82,714 | $92,289 | +12% |
| State University of New York at Oswego | $42,900 | $47,937 | +12% |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | $33,658 | $34,145 | +1% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (25 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,666 | $53,317* | $49,364 | $25,000* | — | |
| $66,014 | $73,436* | $94,446 | $15,000* | 0.20 | |
| $37,504 | $66,063* | — | $25,000* | 0.38 | |
| $38,970 | $53,317* | — | $26,000* | 0.49 | |
| $8,769 | $42,900* | $47,937 | $20,777* | 0.48 | |
| $8,862 | $33,658* | $34,145 | $29,122* | 0.87 | |
| 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 St. John Fisher 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 5 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.