Human Resources Management and Services at Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa's HR program sits squarely in the middle of Iowa's offerings—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—but carries debt loads that make it one of the most expensive options nationally. Students leave with $41,006 in debt, substantially higher than both the state median ($27,375) and national median ($26,625) for this degree. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 is technically manageable under the "less than one year's salary" rule, you're getting middle-of-the-pack outcomes at premium pricing. Earnings of $49,106 essentially flat-line over the first four years, hovering just below both state and national averages.

The comparison to other Iowa schools reveals the problem: Waldorf graduates earn 59% more, while Grand View and Mount Mercy deliver similar outcomes with presumably lower costs. For a program at a university with a 93% admission rate serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students, this debt burden seems misaligned with the earning potential. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers are reasonably reliable.

If your child is committed to HR and considering Upper Iowa, this program will get them employed but likely means years of aggressive loan payments on a below-average salary. Unless there are compelling personal reasons (location, family connection, specific support services), Iowa offers better-value HR programs that won't start your child's career so far behind financially.