Human Resources Management and Services at University of Phoenix-Nevada

University of Phoenix-Nevada's HR certificate graduates start at exactly the national median but see something many certificate programs don't deliver: meaningful earnings growth. That $46,304 first-year salary jumps 37% to $63,337 by year four, suggesting this credential opens doors to advancement rather than dead-end entry-level work. Among Nevada's limited HR certificate options, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—essentially middle-of-the-pack for the state but with a better trajectory than the numbers initially suggest.

The debt picture tells two stories. At $12,785, graduates owe about $5,000 less than the national median for HR certificates, translating to a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one. However, this program sits in the 75th percentile nationally for debt, meaning three-quarters of similar programs leave students with less to repay. The saving grace is that strong earnings growth by year four makes the debt increasingly affordable over time.

For parents weighing whether this certificate justifies the investment, the answer depends on your child's timeline. If they need immediate earnings with minimal debt, they can do better. But if they're looking at this as a stepping stone to supervisory or specialist roles in HR—which the 37% earnings bump suggests is happening—this program delivers reasonable value, particularly given Nevada's limited alternatives in this field.