Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,006
Est. from national median (23 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,536
Est. from national median (10 programs)

Analysis

Comparable HR associate's programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $40,000, paired with estimated debt of $26,536 at Waldorf—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 that falls within manageable territory. For context, the national median for this credential sits at exactly these figures, meaning Waldorf appears to track with typical outcomes rather than outperforming or underperforming peer institutions.

The challenge here is visibility. With only three schools offering this program in Iowa and no reported data from any of them, there's limited ability to assess whether this associate's degree positions graduates competitively within the state's job market. HR roles in smaller Iowa markets may pay less than the national average, or local employers might prioritize bachelor's degrees over associate credentials for entry-level positions. The 34% Pell grant rate suggests Waldorf serves students who need their investment to pay off quickly.

At roughly two-thirds of first-year salary in debt, graduates who secure full-time HR positions should be able to manage loan payments without severe financial strain. However, the lack of actual outcomes data means you're betting on Waldorf's program mirroring national patterns without proof. Before committing, verify whether regional employers hire associate-level HR professionals and at what starting salaries—those local realities matter more than national estimates.

Where Waldorf University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Human Resources Management and Services associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Waldorf UniversityForest City$25,220$40,006*$26,536*
San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisalia$46,445*$20,000*0.43
Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala$15,117$45,969*$49,585$26,536*0.58
Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo$12,715$45,969*$49,585$26,536*0.58
Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud$10,899$45,969*$49,585$26,536*0.58
Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford$13,546$45,969*$49,585$26,536*0.58
National Median$40,006*$26,536*0.66
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Training and Development Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.

$127,090/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Labor Relations Specialists

Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

$93,500/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Law Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Waldorf University, approximately 34% 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 national median of 23 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.