Est. Earnings (1yr)
$50,361
Est. from national median (169 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$30,016
Est. from national median (72 programs)

Analysis

A $30,000 debt burden for a bachelor's degree in HR from Tulane seems manageable at first glance—peer programs across the country typically saddle graduates with around $27,000, so this is slightly higher but not dramatically so. However, that estimated $50,000 first-year salary tells a more complicated story. While this figure, drawn from 169 similar programs nationwide, suggests a stable starting point, it's worth noting that HR roles don't typically command premium salaries early in career, even from highly selective institutions. Tulane's 15% admission rate and strong academic profile may open doors in competitive markets, but HR compensation tends to be standardized across industries rather than varying significantly by school pedigree.

The 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory—you're looking at debt equal to roughly seven months of gross pay. HR professionals typically see steady career progression into management roles where compensation improves considerably, but that first year will likely mean budgeting carefully while building experience. The real question is whether Tulane's network and New Orleans location align with where your child wants to launch their career, since the financial calculus here is neither compelling nor concerning—it's simply middle-of-the-road based on what comparable programs produce.

Where Tulane University of Louisiana Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

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

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans$65,538$50,361*$30,016*
Benedictine UniversityLisle$34,290$83,475*$70,999$31,872*0.38
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor$17,228$82,714*$92,289$14,225*0.17
Northwestern UniversityEvanston$65,997$82,255*$38,832*0.47
Walsh UniversityNorth Canton$34,595$80,566*$29,812*0.37
Waldorf UniversityForest City$25,220$77,897*$68,524$32,111*0.41
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 Tulane University of Louisiana, approximately 9% 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.