Human Resources Management and Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Tarrant County College District

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$46,304

Est. from national median (13 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,532

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

A debt load above $21,000 for an undergraduate certificate raises immediate questions about value, especially when peer programs in Texas typically carry half that burden—around $12,785. Similar HR certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings near $46,300, which would create a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47. While that's manageable compared to bachelor's degrees, it's worth noting that certificates are supposed to offer quick, affordable pathways to employment. At this price point, you're approaching what many associate degree programs cost, without the broader credential.

The numbers here come from comparable programs since Tarrant County College's specific outcomes aren't reported, likely due to small cohort sizes. What we do know: nationally, HR certificate programs cluster tightly around $46,000 in starting pay, suggesting relatively predictable outcomes across institutions. The question is whether that income justifies spending $21,500 when other Texas schools are producing similar results at dramatically lower cost. For a community college certificate—traditionally a low-cost option—this estimated debt figure is surprisingly high and warrants direct conversation with financial aid about whether grants or employer sponsorship could reduce your actual borrowing.

If you're taking on the full estimated debt, compare this certificate's cost against other HR entry points in your area. Some students might reach similar positions through on-the-job experience or lower-cost community college options, making this investment harder to justify at this particular price point.

Where Tarrant County College District Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Human Resources Management and Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (6 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Tarrant County College DistrictFort Worth	$1,728	$46,304*	—	$21,532*	—
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas	—	$46,304*	$63,337	$12,785*	0.28
National Median	—	$46,304*	—	$17,974*	0.39

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

$127,090/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Labor Relations Specialists

Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

$93,500/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Law Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Tarrant County College District, approximately 27% 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 national median of 13 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.