Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degree) at The Catholic University of America

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$50,361

Est. from national median (169 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$30,016

Est. from national median (72 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs nationally, a Catholic University HR degree starts around $50,000 in first-year earnings—but that's notably below what DC's market typically delivers. George Washington University's HR graduates, for instance, earn $57,000 their first year out, and the DC median sits at that same level. Given Washington's robust federal and corporate HR market, this $7,000 gap suggests either different career trajectories or less aggressive salary negotiation among Catholic University's graduates in similar roles.

The estimated debt load of $30,000 isn't catastrophic—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 means graduates could theoretically pay this off in well under two years of focused repayment. But peer programs nationally carry a median debt of just $26,625, and DC programs average even less at $20,793. That premium matters when you're already earning below the local market rate. HR careers do tend to show steady growth as professionals move into generalist and strategic roles, which could help graduates catch up over time.

For parents weighing this investment, the reality is you're looking at estimates drawn from similar programs rather than Catholic University's actual outcomes. If your student is set on HR in DC, ask the career services office hard questions about placement rates and starting salaries for recent grads. The combination of above-average debt and below-market starting pay only makes financial sense if the school delivers something distinctive—strong alumni networks, unique federal agency connections, or placement advantages that justify the gap.

Where The Catholic University of America Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in District of Columbia

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in District of Columbia (3 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
The Catholic University of AmericaWashington	$55,834	$50,361*	—	$30,016*	—
George Washington UniversityWashington	$64,990	$57,219*	$81,557	$20,793*	0.36
National Median	—	$50,361*	—	$26,625*	0.53

* 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 The Catholic University of America, approximately 17% 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 169 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.