50 Most Affordable Human Resources Management School Programs

Get Matched With Human Resources Management Colleges

When students and their families begin looking at the costs of attending college, the first thing they’ll realize is that going to college is expensive, even if they choose a university in their own state that charges less for in-state attendees. Along with finding answers to questions about whether different schools offer particular degrees, such as human resources management, students have to look at other things as well when they are trying to decide if the cost will be worth it in the end. Here, we’ll try to help you answer the most important questions you’ll run into when considering how much is too much when you’re hoping to earn a college degree and what else are vital factors to making this important decision.

The degree offerings question is important; after all, students may not be firmly set on a major and they may change their major once or twice before they find a program they’re happy with. Even if you’re 100% certain what you want your major to be, having a variety of other courses you can take will give you more options for a possible second major or a minor or simply to broaden your experience.

Next, students often consider location an important factor. While going to school in their home state may be more affordable, it also may not be depending in whether they choose a private or public school. And one of the biggest questions is affordability. Going to a dream school may be precisely what a student needs, or it may weigh the student down with student loans for years. Keep reading to get a better idea of what are the most important factors for you to consider.

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Top 50 Affordable Human Resources Management Programs

University Headquarters ranks colleges because we know that prospective students and their families need this information to help them make the best informed decision possible. We know that, while some areas of the college experience can be quantified with percentages and other statistics, others can’t be. We want to provide you with as much information as you need on the quantitative side, so you can feel comfortable bringing your own needs to the table.

For example, when students know and understand admission, retention, and graduation rates, they may be better able to make the decision that’s best for their future. Admission refers to the percentage of applicants accepted. Retention is the number of freshmen who stay for their second year. The graduation rate is the percentage of students who stay and graduate. Low admission rates are often tied to higher graduation rates due to the university being choosy about who it admits, but that doesn’t mean you have to get into an Ivy League school to succeed. High admission and retention rates may show that the school does an excellent job of providing everything a student needs to succeed.

Data for our rankings are collected from several trusted resources, such as the College Scorecard and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The College Scorecard is an easy-to-use government website and even students can benefit from the search features, allowing them to compare different colleges easily. However, for those students who are low on time, we’ve compiled a lot of those statistics for you in these handy rankings lists. Here are some more websites we use for information.

College Navigator via the National Center for Education Statistics compiles and makes available data on each college and university nationwide. Financial information is easily accessible.
Payscale, the job search site, gathers information from organizations and individuals. It offers a current snapshot of pay rates by occupation, city, skills, and even experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a treasure trove of employment information. We find information on income and jobs here, divided by occupations and industries. States and regional employment numbers are also available.

Northern Kentucky University

Tuition
- In-State: $10,592
- Out-of-State: $20,848
Net Price: $7,259
Total Enrollment: 15,801
Undergrad Students: 10,776
Graduate Students: 5,025

Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 50%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $68,000

Purdue University Northwest

Tuition
- In-State: $8,174
- Out-of-State: $15,165
Net Price: $9,162
Total Enrollment: 8,911
Undergrad Students: 8,176
Graduate Students: 735

Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Diplomas Awarded: 49
Grads Salary: $70,000

Western Governors University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,010
- Out-of-State: $8,010
Net Price: $9,207
Total Enrollment: 156,935
Undergrad Students: 112,807
Graduate Students: 44,128

Student-to-faculty: 42:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 49%
Diplomas Awarded: 835
Grads Salary: $77,000

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Utah Valley University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,270
- Out-of-State: $17,830
Net Price: $9,346
Total Enrollment: 43,099
Undergrad Students: 42,296
Graduate Students: 803

Student-to-faculty: 25:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 39%
Diplomas Awarded: 33
Grads Salary: $67,000

California State University-Long Beach

Tuition
- In-State: $6,884
- Out-of-State: $18,764
Net Price: $9,346
Total Enrollment: 38,973
Undergrad Students: 32,931
Graduate Students: 6,042

Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 73%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $76,000

Peirce College

Tuition
- In-State: $15,060
- Out-of-State: $15,060
Net Price: $9,621
Total Enrollment: 856
Undergrad Students: 762
Graduate Students: 94

Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 5%
Diplomas Awarded: 7
Grads Salary: $68,000

SUNY Empire State College

Tuition
- In-State: $7,630
- Out-of-State: $17,540
Net Price: $9,704
Total Enrollment: 9,407
Undergrad Students: 7,735
Graduate Students: 1,672

Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 59%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Diplomas Awarded: 20
Grads Salary: $70,000

University of Alaska Southeast

Tuition
- In-State: $6,960
- Out-of-State: $21,096
Net Price: $9,823
Total Enrollment: 1,923
Undergrad Students: 1,724
Graduate Students: 199

Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $67,000

Florida International University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,881
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921

Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 69%
Diplomas Awarded: 141
Grads Salary: $68,000

Missouri Southern State University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,026
- Out-of-State: $16,052
Net Price: $10,061
Total Enrollment: 4,144
Undergrad Students: 4,052
Graduate Students: 92

Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 36%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $62,000

Charter Oak State College

Tuition
- In-State: $8,254
- Out-of-State: $10,796
Net Price: $10,191
Total Enrollment: 1,602
Undergrad Students: 1,501
Graduate Students: 101

Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 100%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $80,000

University of Illinois Chicago

Tuition
- In-State: $14,046
- Out-of-State: $28,654
Net Price: $10,384
Total Enrollment: 33,747
Undergrad Students: 21,807
Graduate Students: 11,940

Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 62%
Diplomas Awarded: 24
Grads Salary: $77,000

New Mexico State University

Tuition
- In-State: $7,627
- Out-of-State: $24,751
Net Price: $10,407
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677

Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 51%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $72,000

Weber State University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,391
- Out-of-State: $17,084
Net Price: $10,525
Total Enrollment: 29,914
Undergrad Students: 28,903
Graduate Students: 1,011

Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 42%
Diplomas Awarded: 14
Grads Salary: $74,000

University of Michigan-Flint

Tuition
- In-State: $13,242
- Out-of-State: $25,506
Net Price: $10,840
Total Enrollment: 5,985
Undergrad Students: 4,609
Graduate Students: 1,376

Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Diplomas Awarded: 16
Grads Salary: $70,000

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American Public University System

Tuition
- In-State: $7,360
- Out-of-State: $7,360
Net Price: $11,172
Total Enrollment: 48,668
Undergrad Students: 39,206
Graduate Students: 9,462

Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 55%
Diplomas Awarded: 12
Grads Salary: $76,000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Tuition
- In-State: $8,366
- Out-of-State: $18,957
Net Price: $11,173
Total Enrollment: 8,197
Undergrad Students: 5,825
Graduate Students: 2,372

Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 42%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $63,000

Western Illinois University

Tuition
- In-State: $14,406
- Out-of-State: $14,406
Net Price: $11,213
Total Enrollment: 7,643
Undergrad Students: 5,309
Graduate Students: 2,334

Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Diplomas Awarded: 18
Grads Salary: $70,000

California State University-Sacramento

Tuition
- In-State: $7,484
- Out-of-State: $19,364
Net Price: $11,596
Total Enrollment: 31,818
Undergrad Students: 28,921
Graduate Students: 2,897

Student-to-faculty: " 24":1
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 54%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $78,000

Texas Woman's University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,311
- Out-of-State: $18,103
Net Price: $11,682
Total Enrollment: 15,958
Undergrad Students: 10,153
Graduate Students: 5,805

Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 48%
Diplomas Awarded: 32
Grads Salary: $70,000

Lamar University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,690
- Out-of-State: $18,482
Net Price: $11,757
Total Enrollment: 16,803
Undergrad Students: 8,264
Graduate Students: 8,539

Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 59%
Graduation Rate: 38%
Diplomas Awarded: 13
Grads Salary: $78,000

Youngstown State University

Tuition
- In-State: $10,478
- Out-of-State: $10,838
Net Price: $11,900
Total Enrollment: 11,071
Undergrad Students: 8,822
Graduate Students: 2,249

Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 49%
Diplomas Awarded: 23
Grads Salary: $66,000

Georgia Southwestern State University

Tuition
- In-State: $4,980
- Out-of-State: $15,702
Net Price: $12,186
Total Enrollment: 3,070
Undergrad Students: 2,473
Graduate Students: 597

Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 60%
Graduation Rate: 36%
Diplomas Awarded: 14
Grads Salary: $64,000

Columbia Southern University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,015
- Out-of-State: $6,015
Net Price: $12,366
Total Enrollment: 15,948
Undergrad Students: 11,330
Graduate Students: 4,618

Student-to-faculty: 28:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 42%
Graduation Rate: 33%
Diplomas Awarded: 120
Grads Salary: $75,000

Holy Family University

Tuition
- In-State: $32,558
- Out-of-State: $32,558
Net Price: $12,379
Total Enrollment: 2,912
Undergrad Students: 2,155
Graduate Students: 757

Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 59%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $79,000

Idaho State University

Tuition
- In-State: $7,958
- Out-of-State: $25,936
Net Price: $12,425
Total Enrollment: 12,301
Undergrad Students: 10,017
Graduate Students: 2,284

Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 37%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $71,000

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Tuition
- In-State: $14,320
- Out-of-State: $29,584
Net Price: $12,444
Total Enrollment: 8,223
Undergrad Students: 6,116
Graduate Students: 2,107

Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 56%
Diplomas Awarded: 15
Grads Salary: $78,000

Ball State University

Tuition
- In-State: $10,440
- Out-of-State: $27,924
Net Price: $12,615
Total Enrollment: 19,777
Undergrad Students: 14,416
Graduate Students: 5,361

Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 64%
Diplomas Awarded: 29
Grads Salary: $64,000

Peru State College

Tuition
- In-State: $7,920
- Out-of-State: $7,920
Net Price: $12,618
Total Enrollment: 1,799
Undergrad Students: 1,569
Graduate Students: 230

Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 58%
Graduation Rate: 34%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $66,000

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Tuition
- In-State: $8,945
- Out-of-State: $21,253
Net Price: $12,664
Total Enrollment: 34,393
Undergrad Students: 29,686
Graduate Students: 4,707

Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 54%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $67,000

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Indiana State University

Tuition
- In-State: $9,732
- Out-of-State: $21,160
Net Price: $12,688
Total Enrollment: 8,658
Undergrad Students: 6,965
Graduate Students: 1,693

Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Diplomas Awarded: 38
Grads Salary: $69,000

Mississippi University for Women

Tuition
- In-State: $7,866
- Out-of-State: $7,866
Net Price: $12,691
Total Enrollment: 2,339
Undergrad Students: 2,080
Graduate Students: 259

Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 37%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $61,000

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Tuition
- In-State: $7,795
- Out-of-State: $15,368
Net Price: $12,827
Total Enrollment: 13,705
Undergrad Students: 12,627
Graduate Students: 1,078

Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 58%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $67,000

Eastern Washington University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,139
- Out-of-State: $26,529
Net Price: $12,827
Total Enrollment: 10,910
Undergrad Students: 7,604
Graduate Students: 3,306

Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 50%
Diplomas Awarded: 41
Grads Salary: $68,000

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Tuition
- In-State: $8,136
- Out-of-State: $21,718
Net Price: $12,973
Total Enrollment: 15,058
Undergrad Students: 12,026
Graduate Students: 3,032

Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 49%
Diplomas Awarded: 30
Grads Salary: $70,000

Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo

Tuition
- In-State: $18,435
- Out-of-State: $18,435
Net Price: $12,994
Total Enrollment: 787
Undergrad Students: 787
Graduate Students: 0

Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 31%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $50,000

Salem University

Tuition
- In-State: $13,150
- Out-of-State: $13,150
Net Price: $13,132
Total Enrollment: 984
Undergrad Students: 762
Graduate Students: 222

Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%
Graduation Rate: 29%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $65,999

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Tuition
- In-State: $8,947
- Out-of-State: $25,489
Net Price: $13,159
Total Enrollment: 30,660
Undergrad Students: 25,365
Graduate Students: 5,295

Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $70,000

Auburn University at Montgomery

Tuition
- In-State: $9,100
- Out-of-State: $19,348
Net Price: $13,163
Total Enrollment: 5,109
Undergrad Students: 3,754
Graduate Students: 1,355

Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 36%
Diplomas Awarded: 9
Grads Salary: $67,000

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tuition
- In-State: $9,855
- Out-of-State: $25,693
Net Price: $13,248
Total Enrollment: 9,322
Undergrad Students: 6,971
Graduate Students: 2,351

Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 61%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $66,000

Fort Hays State University

Tuition
- In-State: $5,430
- Out-of-State: $15,870
Net Price: $13,322
Total Enrollment: 12,949
Undergrad Students: 10,427
Graduate Students: 2,522

Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 51%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $64,000

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Tuition
- In-State: $7,864
- Out-of-State: $17,039
Net Price: $13,322
Total Enrollment: 11,079
Undergrad Students: 9,367
Graduate Students: 1,712

Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 62%
Diplomas Awarded: 43
Grads Salary: $66,000

Goldey-Beacom College

Tuition
- In-State: $13,050
- Out-of-State: $13,050
Net Price: $13,454
Total Enrollment: 1,012
Undergrad Students: 620
Graduate Students: 392

Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 67%
Diplomas Awarded: 5
Grads Salary: $71,000

Brigham Young University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,304
- Out-of-State: $6,304
Net Price: $13,521
Total Enrollment: 34,464
Undergrad Students: 31,411
Graduate Students: 3,053

Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 79%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $81,000

Wichita State University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,866
- Out-of-State: $18,226
Net Price: $13,553
Total Enrollment: 16,216
Undergrad Students: 12,049
Graduate Students: 4,167

Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 52%
Diplomas Awarded: 30
Grads Salary: $72,000

The University of Texas at Dallas

Tuition
- In-State: $14,564
- Out-of-State: $39,776
Net Price: $13,555
Total Enrollment: 31,570
Undergrad Students: 21,617
Graduate Students: 9,953

Student-to-faculty: 27:1
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 70%
Diplomas Awarded: 27
Grads Salary: $78,000

Trinity Washington University

Tuition
- In-State: $25,610
- Out-of-State: $25,610
Net Price: $13,586
Total Enrollment: 1,895
Undergrad Students: 1,561
Graduate Students: 334

Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 38%
Diplomas Awarded: 1
Grads Salary: $74,000

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Tuition
- In-State: $27,350
- Out-of-State: $27,350
Net Price: $13,591
Total Enrollment: 1,052
Undergrad Students: 929
Graduate Students: 123

Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 50%
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $65,000

Sam Houston State University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,960
- Out-of-State: $18,752
Net Price: $13,632
Total Enrollment: 21,480
Undergrad Students: 18,235
Graduate Students: 3,245

Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 56%
Diplomas Awarded: 36
Grads Salary: $66,000

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

Tuition
- In-State: $12,186
- Out-of-State: $34,218
Net Price: $13,639
Total Enrollment: 19,074
Undergrad Students: 14,198
Graduate Students: 4,876

Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 62%
Diplomas Awarded: 35
Grads Salary: $70,000

Why a Degree from an Affordable Human Resources Management School?

The cost of a university or college may be a factor in students choosing to go elsewhere. About 18.6% of students decided not to go to their first-choice college; these students listed high costs as their reason for choosing different schools. About half as many students (9.4%) said that campus environment is what caused them to choose a different school.

Breaking this down, students said that there were four reasons that caused them to turn away from their first-choice colleges:

Cost of attendance, 18.6%
Financial aid package, 9.01%
Merit-based scholarship received, 6.3%
Timing of the student’s financial aid reward, 1.0%

Minority students also said cost was a factor in their decisions to choose other schools; this happened about 43% of the time.

Economic turndowns and recessions also contribute to students choosing universities that charge students less to attend. The socioeconomic status of a student’s family may also be a factor; they may choose a less-expensive school because they don’t want to put too much financial pressure on their families. And the differences in tuition costs between public and private colleges is another issue. students change their minds, opting to attend a less expensive, public university rather than a more costly, private college.

Whatever a student’s reason for attending a less expensive college, the fact is that, as students see a bachelor’s degree as offering less value overall, they see less reason to pay exorbitant amounts to earn one. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives to the most expensive, private universities, and these options are just as well thought of by employers when you graduate with a degree in human resource management.

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Choosing an Affordable HR Management College

Emotion often enters the decision of which university or college a student may choose. Some students think that they need to attend an expensive, well-known university for their degree to mean anything. However, these students may be overlooking the fact that, when they graduate, they will have a big student loan to repay. Its true that networking in a better-known college or gaining access to a great alumni network can be a huge advantage in some situations. But it is not always the most important thing when you are considering college options.

If a student doesn’t get that scholarship to attend Harvard, or the nearby private university they were hoping to attend, all is not lost. One way to parse the remaining college options available to you is by student outcomes. Some schools publish the average income of their graduates. By considering this average income of a school’s graduates vs. the cost of attending the school, you can find the likely return on investment (ROI) for the money you will pay for your education.

You’ll also want to pay attention to things like accreditation and the net price of the school. Accreditation will mean that a student can receive federal financial aid and is required for many scholarships as well. The net price, which denotes the average amount students at the school pay after financial aid is factored in, helps high school graduates see how good the school is at helping their students find or apply scholarships, grants, or federal student aid.

As we’ve already mentioned, an in-state public school is often a better investment than an out-of-state school because public schools are subsidized by local governments to lower the cost of education for local students. This is not the case for out-of-state students. However, there is more to it than this. Students attending school outside of their own state will also need to consider how much transportation costs will be to return home for vacations or breaks. If you’re only a couple hours from home, that’s one thing. If you need to fly, that’s a whole new cost you’ll have to consider.

Online Options

Some students may have no option but to enroll in an online human resource management degree program. They may already be employed full-time and need to maintain their income, or they may have to help take care of a family member. There are even students who choose to enroll online to keep their travel and living costs lower by staying at home while keeping up with their studies.

A human resources management degree is one that easily adapts to either on-campus or online formats. A student who knows what topic they want to study and specialize in can choose an online program that offers them the degree they’re looking for. With the steady improvement of the online format, assignments, and student-professor interaction, students who are attending online classes can gain as much value as their on-campus counterparts.

Online degree programs have increasingly good reputations, especially when they are offered by colleges and universities that offer on-campus programs. Much of the material taught to on-campus students is exactly the same as that offered to students who are attending their program fully online. Looking at a human resources management degree program, online students will learn the same material as on-campus students, they will be able to apply to similar job openings, and they will find the same success in the workplace as long as they are able to complete their program.

Students who are concerned about accreditation should ask about this for each school they are interested in. A human resources management program may be accredited by a regional accrediting agency, overseen by CHEA, or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Are Human Resource Management Programs in High Demand?

The job outlook for human resources specialists and managers has been predicted to grow by 7% between 2019 to 2029. This growth rate may not seem huge, but it is faster than for other occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that job prospects for HR specialists look good - 64,500 positions are projected each year throughout the decade. Most of these positions may open due to attrition as workers leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations.

The knowledge and services of human resources specialists is likely to be in higher demand as they handle ever more complex healthcare coverage options and employment laws. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the highest amount of growth is projected to be in the technical, scientific, professional, and technical services industry.

Going forward, some companies are getting away from directly employ HR specialists. Instead, they are outsourcing the functions of the HR department to outside organizations. As the HR role grows and develops, job descriptions are also changing. Currently, HR managers are being called HR business partners as they are asked to provide consultation and advisory skills to organization leaders.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Human Resources Management?

HR specialists are evolving experts in benefits and employment law. They are the critical link that educates and informs new and continuing employees to understand just how valuable they are to their respective teams. These specialists are also part of the ongoing effort to help recruit and bring new talent on board.

Some HR specialists may be more of a jack of all trades professional and work in a small company. These generalists should be knowledgeable about everything related to the HR field. They may develop hiring and training programs one week and work with the company’s upper management the next. At the same time, they will still be fielding day-to-day issues.

Human resource managers have usually already spent a few years as HR specialists. After gaining this experience and, perhaps, earning a master’s degree in human resources management, they may be promoted into this leadership role. They may focus on strategic and planning roles and may also work closely with upper management.

Training and development specialists help to determine the skills employees need. With this information, they organize and carry out training programs. Training development managers may plan the full program and help their HR team enact them.

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists compare benefit policies and plans, and may classify positions and write job descriptions when they are looking for new employees.

A chief HR officer will most likely have earned their master’s degree in human resources. They develop HR strategies, goals, and policies. They’ll also communicate to other executives the efforts HR is making in supporting and carrying out the company’s strategic vision. They may lead the development of strategies on recruitment and retention of employees and others in the company.

HR Management Graduates Earn More After College

A professional with a bachelor’s degree in human resources or human resources management earns an average of $58,000 annually. Their annual salary is almost $10,000 higher than that of an HR generalist. If they are promoted to the director’s position, their annual salary may be as high as $79,000.

HR professionals who earn a graduate degree in human resource management, they earn a higher average annual salary of $64,000. HR directors earn an average annual salary of $83,000. As with most other careers, gaining a higher level of education will often allow you to earn a higher salary. Should a professional continue learning in this field or gaining certifications, they may increase their annual salary to $81,000 or even $107,000 annually in the position of a senior human resources business partner.

A Master of Business Administration (MBA), in Human Resources Management can increase your income if you also have the experience to go along with it. Those with this degree earn an average of $69,000 annually. If they become the director of their HR department, their annual salary increases to $89,000.

FAQs

What are the requirements for a degree in human resource management?
All students earning bachelor’s degrees are usually required to complete certain core curriculum or general education courses. Once they do this, they can begin their major courses which will cover their human resources courses, business courses, and any required electives. A bachelor’s degree usually requires a total of 120 hours altogether. If you choose to earn a master’s degree, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree and then earn another 60 credit hours on top of that, which is likely to cover more in-depth human resources and business knowledge.
Do human resource management programs require a GRE or GMAT?
Students enrolling into a Master of Science Human Resources Management program are usually required to take the GRE. This might change if you are earning your degree from a business school or earning an MBA. However, many schools are getting away from the GRE and GMAT requirements altogether. It’s important that you know what might be required of you if you have a specific degree program in mind.
How long does it take to get a degree in human resource management?
An on-campus or online Bachelor of Science in Human Resources or in Business Administration with a concentration in human resources management requires that students complete at least 120 credits. Students who attend full-time are generally able to graduate in four or five years. Online degree programs usually have the same requirements for graduation that their on-campus counterparts have, so the timeframe for graduation may be the same unless students accelerate their learning schedule.
How much money can you make with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resource management?
The average income of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management is $58,000 per year. However, those with a Master of Science in Human Resources Management earn an annual salary of $70,000.
Will earning a master’s help you move up in human resource management?
Earning a master’s in human resources can certainly help graduates to move up in the field. Because of the variety of specializations, HR managers can find their way into higher level or niche positions within the field, and having more education can definitely help in that endeavor.

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