Human Resources Management and Services at University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB's HR program sits in an interesting middle ground—earning just above the Alabama median ($45,343 vs. $44,736), yet trailing the national median by about $5,000. That 60th percentile ranking among Alabama schools tells you this is a solid in-state option, though it won't match the top performers like Columbia Southern. The debt load of $27,000 is actually lower than Alabama's typical $31,422, giving you a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, that means your graduate could theoretically pay off their debt in about 7-8 months of gross earnings.

The catch is transparency: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing considerably with just a few outliers. What we know for certain is that UAB keeps costs reasonable while delivering earnings that work for the local job market, even if they're not exceptional. Birmingham's status as a regional business hub likely explains why graduates can start near $45,000 despite the program's modest national ranking.

If your student plans to work in Alabama after graduation, this program offers decent value—especially at this debt level. But if they're aiming for a competitive HR career in higher-cost markets or at Fortune 500 companies, you might want to explore programs with stronger national placement records. The numbers suggest UAB prepares students for solid regional HR roles, not necessarily corporate talent management positions.