Analysis
A $50,000 starting salary paired with $25,000 in debt looks reasonable on paper, but the reality is murkier. These figures come from national peers rather than Delaware graduates, and the state picture tells a different story—the only Delaware HR program with reported data shows graduates earning $58,000, roughly $8,000 more than the national baseline used here. Whether University of Delaware's actual outcomes lean closer to that state figure or stay near the national median matters significantly when you're considering a $100,000+ total investment.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 suggests manageable repayment if those estimates hold true, but there's meaningful variation in how HR programs perform. Nationally, this field shows a $5,500 gap between median and top-quartile programs—not enormous, but enough to affect monthly loan payments and early-career financial flexibility. University of Delaware's stronger admissions profile (SAT of 1297) could push outcomes higher, yet without actual graduate data, you're essentially betting on the institution's brand translating to better placement.
The straightforward question: are you comfortable making a six-figure commitment based on what similar programs produce elsewhere? If your child has clear interest in HR and Delaware offers other compelling advantages—location, network, campus fit—the estimated numbers don't scream disaster. But they also don't provide the confidence that comes from seeing real outcomes for this specific program.
Where University of Delaware Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Delaware
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Delaware (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $16,080 | $50,361* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $12,330 | $58,049* | $55,392 | $31,125* | 0.54 | |
| National Median | — | $50,361* | — | $26,625* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Training and Development Managers
Labor Relations Specialists
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Coroners
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
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 University of Delaware, approximately 16% 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.