Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Wayne State University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$48,324

36th percentile

40th percentile in Michigan

Median Debt

$24,213

9% below national median

Analysis

Wayne State's HR program gets graduates working quickly at a manageable debt load, but the earnings lag behind most alternatives in Michigan. At $48,324 starting, students earn about $2,300 less than the state median, placing this program in the 40th percentile among Michigan's 19 HR programs. The $24,213 median debt is lower than both state and national averages, translating to a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50—meaning graduates owe about half their first year's salary.

The 16% earnings growth to $56,255 by year four suggests steady career progression, though graduates still trail peers at comparable institutions like Michigan State ($56,501 starting) and Davenport ($51,681). Michigan's flagship university shows what's possible: U-M Ann Arbor HR graduates earn $82,714, nearly double Wayne State's starting figure. Given Wayne State's 82% acceptance rate and substantial Pell Grant population (43%), the program appears to serve students who need an accessible entry point to HR careers rather than those seeking top-tier outcomes.

For families prioritizing college access and debt management over maximum earnings, this program delivers. But if your child can gain admission to Michigan State or U-M Dearborn—both charging similar in-state tuition—those programs offer materially better earning potential from day one. Wayne State works as an affordable fallback, not your first choice for HR training in Michigan.

Where Wayne State University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Wayne State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Wayne State University	$48,324	$56,255	+16%
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	$82,714	$92,289	+12%
Michigan State University	$56,501	$80,270	+42%
Oakland University	$51,010	$60,527	+19%
Concordia University Ann Arbor	$58,982	$60,257	+2%

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (19 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Wayne State UniversityDetroit	$14,297	$48,324	$56,255	$24,213	0.50
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor	$17,228	$82,714	$92,289	$14,225	0.17
Concordia University Ann ArborAnn Arbor	$34,200	$58,982	$60,257	$37,050	0.63
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing	$15,988	$56,501	$80,270	$23,475	0.42
University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn	$14,944	$55,944	—	$22,831	0.41
Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids	$23,324	$51,681	$57,458	$31,112	0.60
National Median	—	$50,361	—	$26,625	0.53

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 Wayne State University, approximately 43% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 207 graduates with reported earnings and 221 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.