Human Resources Management and Services at University of Idaho

University of Idaho's HR program graduates earn about 11% less than the state median ($49,442 versus $55,738), landing in the 40th percentile among Idaho's limited options. Idaho State University's HR graduates out-earn UI grads by roughly $12,600 in their first year—a substantial gap for students with similar in-state tuition costs. The program also trails the national median by about $900, though it does keep debt notably lower than average at $22,087 (versus $26,625 nationally).

The debt management here is legitimately strong, with a 0.45 ratio meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable territory, especially as earnings climb 9% to $54,065 by year four. For an accessible program at a 79% admission rate school, this represents a safe financial floor rather than a ceiling-breaking opportunity. Students aren't taking on crushing debt, but they're also not positioning themselves at the top of Idaho's HR market.

If your child is set on UI for other reasons—campus fit, location, or scholarship opportunities—this program won't create financial hardship. But families purely optimizing for HR career outcomes should examine what Idaho State offers differently, since that $12,600 earnings gap persists even as both programs serve Idaho's relatively small HR market.