Analysis
A Bachelor's in HR from University of San Francisco carries an estimated debt load of $30,016βhigher than both the state median of $25,067 and the national median of $26,625. When paired with first-year earnings that comparable California programs suggest will land around $48,786, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. That's manageable but not comfortable, especially in one of the country's most expensive metros where that salary won't stretch far.
The earnings picture is where this gets tricky. While peer HR programs in California cluster around that $49K mark, the top-performing programs in the state are producing graduates who earn $57K to $66K in their first yearβa significant gap. Given USF's 51% admission rate and solid SAT profile, you might expect outcomes closer to the higher end of that range, but without actual graduate data for this specific program, we're working with limited visibility. What's clear is that $49K in San Francisco demands careful financial planning, particularly with $30K in debt to service.
The uncertainty here matters. Without reported outcomes from USF's own HR graduates, you can't know whether this program punches above or below the state average. If you're set on this path, push the school hard for employment outcomes, alumni connections in HR, and corporate recruiting relationships that could justify both the debt premium and the Bay Area cost of living.
Where University of San Francisco Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $58,222 | $48,786* | β | $30,016* | β | |
| $12,520 | $65,673* | $66,122 | $22,979* | 0.35 | |
| β | $57,983* | $51,907 | $50,470* | 0.87 | |
| $35,558 | $55,616* | $59,185 | $27,155* | 0.49 | |
| $13,160 | $51,118* | $50,031 | $41,117* | 0.80 | |
| $7,008 | $46,453* | $56,388 | $12,733* | 0.27 | |
| National Median | β | $50,361* | β | $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 San Francisco, approximately 27% 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 median of 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.