Analysis
With estimated debt of $26,000 and first-year earnings around $50,000—both closely aligned with what similar HR programs produce across Pennsylvania—this bachelor's degree appears to deliver a manageable financial outcome. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary, a reasonable burden that most entry-level HR professionals could handle with standard loan repayment plans. What's less certain is whether Scranton's specific outcomes match this statewide picture, since the actual graduate data isn't publicly available.
The estimated figures place this program squarely in the middle of Pennsylvania's HR landscape. Top performers like Saint Joseph's produce graduates earning $58,000+, while the University of Pittsburgh and Temple cluster around the same $50,000 mark suggested here. Nationally, HR bachelor's degrees show remarkably consistent outcomes, with the median at $50,361—suggesting the field itself tends to reward credentials relatively uniformly rather than varying dramatically by institution.
The practical question is whether a private Jesuit university experience justifies similar costs to state options when the employment outcomes appear comparable. If the estimate holds true, your child would be entering a stable professional field with reasonable debt, but you're betting on Scranton's career services and alumni network to deliver results that match or exceed what larger Pennsylvania programs achieve more predictably.
Where University of Scranton Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (29 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $52,309 | $50,128* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $51,340 | $58,528* | $83,008 | $23,970* | 0.41 | |
| $33,610 | $56,414* | — | $30,000* | 0.53 | |
| $21,524 | $53,339* | $59,845 | —* | — | |
| $22,082 | $50,128* | $66,841 | $27,000* | 0.54 | |
| $44,800 | $49,480* | $53,616 | $36,131* | 0.73 | |
| 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 Scranton, approximately 22% 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 7 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.