

People who work in human resources understand how crucial it is to the success of businesses that managers take care of their employees. If you are interested in studying business but have a particular interest in how a company trains, develops, and motivates employees to increase overall productivity, consider getting a degree in human resource management. And if you’re a nontraditional student who has a family and/or a job, fear not. You can earn your degree entirely online as well as apply for plenty of scholarships.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management?
Because many online human resources degree degree programs require interdisciplinary business classes, there is a wide variety of positions that a graduate can qualify for.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resource specialists specifically is an occupation that is projected to grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029. The median pay of this position was $63,490 as of May 2020. A position as a human resource manager, however, is far more lucrative as they average about a $121,220 salary. This too is projected to be a quickly growing field as it is expected to expand 6% from 2019 to 2029 as businesses and organizations will need assistance navigating evolving employment laws.
Recent graduates also often become training and development specialists or compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists. Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists tend to be a bit higher paying at roughly $67,190 per year, however, not by much as training and development specialists average salaries of $62,700 annually.
Once you gain some experience, you can move on to positions as training and development managers as well as compensation, benefits and job analysis managers. Both pay well over six figures, $115,640 per year and $125,130 per year, respectively. Labor relations specialists tend to make more off the bat than the previously mentioned specialist positions at $73,240 per year. However, the job outlook for this position is much lower at a 7% decline from 2019 to 2029.
Methodology: Here's How We Rank Schools
Metric | Data Used | Percentage |
Academic Quality | Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates | 25% |
Affordability | Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid | 35% |
Reputation | Admission and enrollment rates | 15% |
Program Offerings | Number of program options | 10% |
Online Enrollment Score | Portion of learners taking at least one online course | 15% |
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
What will I learn in a human resources management program?
What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management?
- Human resources specialist or manager
- Training and development specialist or manager
- Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist or manager
- Labor relations specialists
Is a bachelor’s degree in human resources management worth it?
How long does it take to finish a human resources degree?
The Top 25 Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Human Resource Management
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Columbia Southern UniversityLocation
Orange Beach, AL
Tuition$4895
Smart business people understand that happy, productive employees are essential to any organization's success. The B.S.B.A. degree at Columbia Southern University has an optional concentration in Human Resources Management that will give you real-world training so you can more effectively manage personnel. As an online human resource management degree student, you’ll start out your educational journey with General Education and Core Business classes, such as Principles of Marketing and Business Policy and Strategy. By the time you get ready to take classes in Human Resources Management you'll be well-prepared for classes like Compensation and Benefits and Employment Law. The school is fully accredited and is a voluntary member of the Higher Education Transfer Alliance, which works to increase your mobility and improve the success of credit transfers.
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Western International UniversityLocation
Tempe, AZ
Tuition$6000
At Western International University you can major in Human Resource Management, a degree program that will teach you to tackle issues from labor relations to operations management. You'll learn how to balance corporate policies and governmental regulations with the needs of employees. The program is designed according to the HR Certification Institute Body of Knowledge recommendations for the Professional in Human Resources certification. You will study employment practices, organizational issues, labor relations, compensation and benefits, and much more. WIU is so confident you'll love its program that you can sign up to take your first two classes for just $200 each. The university has received an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association.
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Western Governors UniversityLocation
Salt Lake City, UT
Tuition$6070
To become a skilled HR professional, you'll need business acumen with a knowledge of labor practices and human resources expertise. Western Governors University gives you the skills you need to be successful through training in Economics, Information Systems Management, Marketing and Communication, Finance, Leadership and Management, and other fundamental areas. The cheap online human resource management degree program is perfect for individuals who are experienced business professionals or have completed prior college education. You are required to pass either the Professional in Human Resources Certification Exam or the Assurance of Learning Exam. The school's distance learning program has received multiple recognitions, including being given the 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning.
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Bellevue UniversityLocation
Bellevue, NE
Tuition$6300
Bellevue is a nationally respected university that has been named as one of the Top 20 Online Bachelor's Degree Programs and one of the Top 10 Online Bachelor's Degree Programs for Veterans. The school offers a reputable Business Administration Program with several optional concentrations, including one in Human Resource Management. You must first complete the Common Professional Component (CPC) of classes, which will prepare you for careers in many aspects of business. Those who choose to concentrate on HR training will also take additional classes, such as Compensation and Performance Management, Human Resource Law, and Strategies for Recruitment and Selection of Human Resources.
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American Public UniversityLocation
Charles Town, WV
Tuition$6400
The Bachelor of Arts in Management from American Public University helps students who have expertise in technical fields of the business industry transition into positions of leadership at large organizations. You will learn to organize, lead, and motivate human capital through one of four concentrations, one of which is Human Resource Management. Online human resource management undergraduate degree students examine various laws and regulations that affect the modern workplace, compare and contrast policies in various organizations through case studies, and assess trends related to the HR profession. APU is an esteemed organization whose programs regularly impress employers; 99% say they would hire another APU graduate. It has also been rated one of the Best Online Programs by U.S. News and World Report.
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Grantham UniversityLocation
Lenexa, KS
Tuition$6530
Grantham offers professionally relevant classes in a variety of topics related to Human Resource Management, such as Training and Development, Performance Management, Organizational Behavior, Compensation, Labor Relations, and Business Law, to name a few. You will graduate with the ability to engage in research and analysis, facilitate personnel in every aspect of an organization, conduct training and development, and assess appropriate compensation and benefits packages. All classes can be taken online and are perfect for busy professionals, parents, and military veterans. ELearning World University Rankings named Grantham as 13th on its list of U.S. Distance Education Programs and KMI Media Group listed the school as a Top Military-Friendly University.
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Trident University InternationalLocation
Cypress, CA
Tuition$6600
Trident University is a well-established online program that holds a regional accreditation and has accomplished faculty members - 90% of whom hold doctoral degrees. The school also has an attractive military discount program for active service members and veterans. Trident offers programs in Business Administration, Education, Health Sciences, and Information Systems, including a degree in Human Resource Management. The online human resource management degree degree is designed to give people a strong foundation in business while giving them practical training in staffing, training, information systems, global HRM, benefits, and more. All classes are available during eight separate sessions a year to give you maximum control over your schedule.
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Colorado State University - GlobalLocation
Greenwood Village, CO
Tuition$8400
Colorado State's online business programs are quite the bargain - despite being very highly ranked, the tuition comes in at less than $9,000 a year! The school was ranked 16th on U.S. News and World Report's list of the Best Online Bachelor's Programs and 1st on SuperScholar's list of Best Online Colleges. Through the school's online Human Resource Management program, you'll learn about how HR development and employee administration impacts the effectiveness and organization of small businesses and corporations alike. You'll take on projects that give you practice resolving conflicts, managing policies, and building a culture to maximize performance.
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Fort Hays State UniversityLocation
Hays, KS
Tuition$4358
When you graduate from Fort Hays State with a degree in Human Resource Management, you'll be prepared to take on a career as a recruiter, training and development manager, compensation and benefits specialist, senior project manager, or some other position in HR. You'll take classes in Accounting, Business Law, Business Communication, Business Policy, Management Information Systems, Training and Development, and Leadership and Team Dynamics. You can consider an online human resource management degree from Fort Hays an investment in your future; within six months of graduation, 95% of graduates had either found work or were continuing their studies!
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University of Maryland University CollegeLocation
Largo, MD
Tuition$6552
Earn your accredited online human resource management degree from one of the most respected schools in the Mid-Atlantic without leaving the comfort of your own home! Study everything you need to know to make it in either the public or private sector, such as human resource planning, recruitment, training and career development, performance appraisal, labor relations, and personnel policies. Throughout your education you'll also develop ethical leadership skills and practice interpersonal communication so that you are poised to be as successful as possible in the workplace. UMUC has received an award from the Council of College and Military Educators for its services that cater to veterans and service members. It is also a regionally accredited institution and has locations in 25 countries.
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University of PhoenixLocation
Tempe, AZ
Tuition$10500
The Human Resources Management degree at the University of Phoenix is designed to help you capitalize on the bright future labor relations specialists, trainers, or other human resource managers have. You will take 120 credit hours in General Education, such as Communication Arts, Science, and Technology; Core Courses, such as Business Communications and Critical Thinking and Management Theory and Practice; and Concentration Classes, such as Strategic Human Resource Management and Emerging Issues, Employment Law, and Total Compensation. The school also offers a unique StackTrack Program that allows you to turn your degree progression upside down and take the most industry-relevant skills first. That way you can get a jump on your career from the moment you start your first class.
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Colorado Technical UniversityLocation
Colorado Springs, CO
Tuition$10531
Gain insight into the structures and processes of management while building crucial professional and interpersonal skills through Colorado Technical University's Human Resource Management Degree. Organized as a concentration of the Business Administration Degree, this program will teach you about recent legislation affecting corporations, issues such as healthcare that impact HR departments, and how globalization is influencing the availability and complexity of U.S. jobs. As a technical university, CTU also infuses computer science education into every department so that you are prepared to take on the demands of a modern, high-tech corporate culture. CTU has received awards as an Innovative Best Practice/New Program by M.U.S.E. and a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
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Franklin UniversityLocation
Columbus, OH
Tuition$10681
Gain the skills employers desire with a degree in Human Resources Management from Franklin University. You'll graduate with knowledge in performance management, talent management, workforce planning, legal compliance, organizational development, and employee and labor relations. You will be assigned projects that challenge you to think strategically, recruit better employees, and maximize the value of your business. Franklin is a regionally accredited university and has been named one of America's Top Military Friendly Colleges and Universities by Military Advanced Education magazine. The school also has a unique coaching program that will allow you to connect with mentors who will help them reach your academic and professional goals.
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Walden UniversityLocation
Minneapolis, MN
Tuition$11460
Walden University's Business Administration Degree is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, meaning that it adheres to strict standards for business education. You can choose one of several concentrations within the program, such as Finance, International Business, or Human Resources Management. Take unique classes that will prepare you to be an innovator in your field, such as Living and Learning in a Technological World, Human Resource Development and Change, Critical Thinking, and Corporate Entrepreneurship. The university itself has a regional accreditation (in addition to the business school's ACBSP accreditation) and nearly 90% of surveyed alumni say the curriculum they study has been relevant to their professional lives.
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Capella UniversityLocation
Minneapolis, MN
Tuition$12248
As a student at Capella University, you will become a self-starter who is eager to take on leadership roles at work - and Capella gives you the tools you need. In fact, compared to public institutions, 3 times as many Capella alumni took on new responsibilities at their job while enrolled. As a part of the university's Business Program, the Bachelor of Science in Business: Human Resource Management Specialization provides you with both a foundation in business and skills unique to personnel management and staff development. The program goes beyond the traditional curriculum of the major and teaches you to be a strategic thinker and to take on critical roles in the businesses of which you are a part of. The program is fully aligned with SHRM's HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, can be taken in a 5-week or 10-week course format, and can be applied toward a Bachelor-to-Master's Combined Degree option.
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Florida International UniversityLocation
Miami, FL
Tuition$6496
The Human Resource Management degree at Florida International University is a subset of the Business Administration major and will give you a broad overview of organizational management. Courses are flexible and are constantly updated to focus on the most up-to-date, industry-relevant information. You'll study a wide range of topics, from unions to employment law to international business. At the end of the program you'll be equipped with this skills to train others, analyze personnel development, and create effective reward systems. FIU has been rated one of the Best College Business Programs by U.S. News and World Report, one of the Best Undergraduate Business Schools by Bloomberg Business Week, and a Best of the Best winner by the Hispanic Network.
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American InterContinental UniversityLocation
Chandler, AZ
Tuition$13345
American InterContinental University is a reputable institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Students majoring in business programs will also be happy to know that business courses, including the Human Resource Management Specialization, are additionally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. If you choose to major in this concentration you'll take classes like Building Teams and Resolving Conflict, Strategic Management of Human Assets, Personnel and Organization Policy, and Diversity in the Workforce. By the time you graduate you'll be more than ready to take on positions in both the public and private sector.
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Ferris State UniversityLocation
Big Rapids, MI
Tuition$10466
Ferris State University would be a great school to call your alma mater. You'd be one of a long list of notable alumni, including famous writers, professional athletes, famous musicians, and politicians. If you're interested in business and love working with people, you should consider Ferris State's Human Resource Management Program. You'll take classes in Employment Law, Negotiations, International Human Resource Management, Negotiations, and Compensation, to name but a few. In order to give you the knowledge to be successful in business, the online human resource management degree program also includes courses in Finance, Computer Information Systems, Marketing, and International Business.
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