Human Resources Management and Services at University of Michigan-Flint

With earnings 22% below the Michigan median for HR programs and 28% below the national average, UM-Flint's HR program struggles to compete even within its own state system. First-year graduates earn $39,385—about half what peers at the Ann Arbor campus make and trailing every other Michigan program with available data. While UM-Flint ranks only at the 25th percentile statewide, it's worth noting that the $30,500 debt load is modest and fairly typical for the state. The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio means the entire debt burden equals less than a year's salary, which is manageable compared to many bachelor's programs.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) warrants real caution here—a few outliers could be skewing these numbers significantly. UM-Flint serves a predominantly local, working-class student body (35% receive Pell grants), and it's possible graduates are prioritizing work-life balance or taking positions at smaller Flint-area organizations rather than pursuing higher-paying corporate roles in Detroit or Grand Rapids.

If your child is committed to staying in the Flint area for personal reasons, this could work as an affordable credential. But for students willing to attend elsewhere in Michigan, the earnings gap is too substantial to ignore. MSU and UM-Dearborn both offer 40%+ higher starting salaries for similar debt levels—a difference of $15,000+ annually that compounds significantly over a career.