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Human Resources Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026

Human Resources degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$46K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$72K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.1 yrs

in Des Moines

Cost of Living

92

index (100 = avg)

Human Resources in Des Moines, IA Overview

Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Human Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Human Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Recruiting and Employee Relations. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $46,000, growing to $71,760 by mid-career.

Category

Business

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$8,977/yr

Private Tuition

$38,388/yr

Room & Board

$8,658/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$9,739/yr

Unemployment

6.9%

Graduation Rate

56%

Human Resources Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,000($-4,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$71,760($-6,240 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$92,000($-8,000 vs national)

Note: National average Human Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.

Human Resources ROI Calculator for Des Moines

Estimate your return on investment for a Human Resources degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388

Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$70,540

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,800

vs HS diploma in Des Moines

ROI Payback Period

5.1 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Des Moines

$389,460

Lifetime earnings premium ($460,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)

Student Loan Payoff for Human Resources in Des Moines

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$70,540
Monthly Payment$801
Total Interest$25,576
% of Monthly Income21%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$70,540
Monthly Payment$1,380
Total Interest$12,272
Interest Savings$13,304

Colleges in Des Moines for Human Resources

Drake University

private

$45,520/yr

$182,080 total

Grand View University

private

$31,256/yr

$125,024 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Des Moines Area Community College

$5,064/yr

Top Employers for Human Resources in Des Moines

Des Moines offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Human Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:

ADPMercerDeloitteAmazonWorkday

Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Business

Financial services

Consulting firms

Fortune 500 companies

Startups

Marketing agencies

Common Human Resources Job Titles

HR ManagerRecruiterCompensation Analyst

Human Resources Degree in Des Moines — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Human Resources ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.

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