Human Resourcesat Western Illinois University
Graduates earn $47,467/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Human Resources average. Base-case 10-year earnings $491K; scenarios range from $461K to $491K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Illinois University
First-year earnings of $47,467 track close to the $51,599 national median for Human Resources programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 8.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $21,875 in median debt against $47,467 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #135 out of 169 programs, Western Illinois University's financial outcomes for Human Resources trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $47,467 to $48,657 over five years (3% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Illinois University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Human Resources
How Western Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Illinois 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 →Frequently asked about Human Resources at Western Illinois University
How does Western Illinois University's Human Resources program score?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Western Illinois University trails the majority of Human Resources programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.