Human Resources Management and Services at Wilmington College

A debt load approaching $35,000 against first-year earnings around $45,000—based on what comparable HR programs in Ohio typically produce—suggests manageable numbers on paper but little margin for error. The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable bounds, though the estimated debt here runs about $10,000 higher than what Ohio HR graduates typically carry. That gap matters when entry-level salaries in this field hover in the mid-$40,000s across the state.

The earnings estimate derived from peer programs puts Wilmington near the Ohio median but well below what top programs deliver. Walsh University grads start around $80,000, while Ohio State and several others routinely hit $50,000-plus. Similar programs in Ohio suggest Wilmington's HR graduates enter a competitive job market without the salary premium that might justify higher debt. When programs at comparable schools produce similar outcomes with $10,000 less borrowed, the financing structure becomes the pivotal question.

If your student can graduate with debt closer to the state's $25,000 typical—through aid, part-time work, or family support—this program could work. But borrowing the full estimated amount for median-level career prospects means starting behind peers who either earned more or borrowed less. Get specific about actual costs before committing.