Human Resources Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Human Resources degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Human Resources in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Human Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Human Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Recruiting and Employee Relations. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $42,000, growing to $65,520 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Human Resources Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Human Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Human Resources ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Human Resources degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,600
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$340,484
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,000) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Human Resources in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Human Resources
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Human Resources in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Human Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Human Resources Job Titles
Human Resources in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Business Majors in Topeka
Business Analytics
$66K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$59K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$55K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$42K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$42K starting · 4 yr ROI
Human Resources Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.