Human Resources at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Human Resources Management and Services

a smaller institution with 2,875 students in Fergus Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,367 place Minnesota State Community and Technical College below the $43,780 national median for Human Resources — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 42.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Resources programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Human Resources's career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 27% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $36,367 far exceeding the $14,287 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #20 of 36 Human Resources programs, Minnesota State Community and Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $36,367 to $49,071 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Human Resources offers 13 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
62
Score
64
High End
Earnings $36,367/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (253,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$521K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
44.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$11,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,287
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,071
35% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Human Resources graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Compensation and benefits managers $140,360 +0.2% 49%
Human resources managers $140,030 +5.0% 52%
Training and development managers $127,090 +5.8% 50%
Compensation and benefits managers
$140,360
+0.2% growth 49% AI-proof
Human resources managers
$140,030
+5.0% growth 52% AI-proof
Training and development managers
$127,090
+5.8% growth 50% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

Human Resources Career Guide

Explore what Human Resources graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 36 programs nationwide.

Read the full Human Resources career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Resources Overview

Human Resources at Other Schools

Other Majors at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Human Resources at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Human Resources programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Human Resources to AI automation?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can you still earn well with Human Resources from Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Minnesota State Community and Technical College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Resources graduates?
If Minnesota State Community and Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 13 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Resources. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Human Resources from Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
The career paths mapped to Human Resources have roughly 253,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →