Human Resources Management and Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Terra State Community College

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-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 is manageable on paper, but here's the reality check: these figures come from national peer programs, not Terra State's actual graduates. Based on comparable certificate programs nationwide, students typically borrow around $21,532 and earn $46,304 in their first year—numbers that suggest roughly half a year's salary in debt. That's within reasonable bounds for workforce-ready credentials, though Ohio programs in this field tend to carry slightly less debt at around $18,202 median.

The concern isn't the math—it's what you're not seeing. With 18 HR programs across Ohio and 222 nationally, there's wide variation in how well these certificates translate to actual jobs. Some employers value HR credentials heavily, while others prioritize experience or four-year degrees. A certificate can open doors in small to mid-sized companies or serve as a stepping stone within an organization, but it's not a guaranteed path to HR management roles that typically require bachelor's degrees.

For an anxious parent, the question is whether this investment makes sense given your child's specific situation. If they're already working and need a credential to advance, or if they're clear-eyed about starting in entry-level HR positions, the estimated debt burden isn't crushing. But recognize you're relying on projections from other schools—Terra State's actual placement and earnings record for this program remains unclear due to small cohort sizes.

Where Terra State Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Human Resources Management and Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Terra State Community CollegeFremont	$5,660	$46,304*	—	$21,532*	—
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh	$21,524	$64,711*	$81,611	$22,000*	0.34
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$53,029*	$52,161	$27,921*	0.53
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$51,570*	$56,585	$25,422*	0.49
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis	$16,488	$48,970*	$59,448	$21,532*	0.44
University of Phoenix-HawaiiKapolei	—	$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 Terra State Community College, approximately 25% 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.