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Business · Human Resources Rank #161 of 169

Human Resourcesat Mercer University

Graduates earn $47,538/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Human Resources average. Base-case 10-year earnings $515K; scenarios range from $478K to $517K depending on AI disruption.

Macon, GA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,538
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$515K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Mercer University

At $47,538/yr, Human Resources graduates from Mercer University land near the $51,599 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 3.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $28,000 debt-to-$47,538 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #161 out of 169 programs, Mercer University's financial outcomes for Human Resources trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$478K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$515K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$517K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Mercer University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Human Resources graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Compensation and benefits managers
+0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$140,360/yr
High
2
Human resources managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 17,900 openings/yr
$140,030/yr
Moderate
3
Training and development managers
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 3,800 openings/yr
$127,090/yr
High
4
Law teachers, postsecondary
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 2,200 openings/yr
$126,650/yr
Moderate
5
Business teachers, postsecondary
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 8,100 openings/yr
$97,270/yr
Moderate
6
Labor relations specialists
-0.1% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$93,500/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Human Resources

How Mercer University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Benedictine University
IL · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
Top score
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
75
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
13.5x
ROI
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$82K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Walsh University
OH · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Waldorf University
IA · Private for-profit
65
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Also at Mercer University

Other top programs at Mercer University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Mercer University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Human Resources offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Human Resources trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Human Resources at Mercer University

How does Mercer University's Human Resources program score?

This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Human Resources. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Human Resources to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Human Resources careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.