Human Resources Management and Services at Temple University

Temple's HR management program offers something most HR degrees don't: meaningful income growth after graduation. While the $50,128 starting salary sits right at Pennsylvania's median, graduates see their earnings jump 33% to nearly $67,000 within four years—substantially outpacing typical career progression in this field. That strong trajectory helps explain why this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania's 29 HR programs, despite a middle-of-the-pack start.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable, translating to a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio that gives graduates breathing room in their first year out. You're looking at monthly loan payments around $300 on standard repayment—reasonable on a $50,000 salary, and increasingly comfortable as earnings rise. Temple performs essentially on par with Pennsylvania's HR program averages for both debt and starting earnings, but pulls ahead over time through stronger earning potential.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: if your child wants immediate high earnings in HR, schools like Saint Joseph's start $8,000 higher. But Temple's combination of accessible admission (83% acceptance rate), moderate debt, and strong earnings growth creates a solid return on investment for students willing to build their career over time rather than expecting top dollar right away.