Human Resources Management and Services at Wichita State University

Wichita State's HR management program produces graduates who earn slightly below both the national and Kansas medians, landing consistently at the 40th percentile. That's not disastrous, but it means six out of ten comparable programs deliver better earnings outcomes. First-year graduates earn $48,817, trailing the state median by about $250 and the national median by roughly $1,500. By year four, earnings climb to $55,826—solid growth of 14%, though still below top Kansas competitors like Rasmussen ($56,465) and Friends University ($54,539).

The upside here is debt management. At $21,570, graduates carry significantly less debt than typical HR majors nationally ($26,625) or in Kansas ($30,736). That 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means students owe less than half their first-year salary, creating breathing room that higher-earning programs with heavier debt loads don't always provide. This matters for someone entering a mid-tier earning field where starting salaries rarely break $50,000.

For a family prioritizing affordability and a clear path into HR, this works—especially given Wichita State's 95% admission rate and reasonable student debt. But if maximizing earning potential is the priority, recognize that this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack. Your child won't graduate with crushing debt, but they also won't have the earnings advantage that comes from programs at the top of the Kansas rankings.