Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resource Management of 2021

Updated November 8, 2022

Find the most affordable online bachelor's programs for human resource management to find the best school.

BestValueSchools.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Three women talking in hallway Credit: SolStock/Royalty-free/Getty Images
Most Affordable Online Degree Programs badge

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.

Jump to Program Rankings

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

At Best Value Schools, we help students of all ages get the best possible value for their education. When choosing the best schools and programs, we prioritize tuition rates, student debt, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and the availability of online programs. We source unbiased data from government and educational databases like the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 6,374 schools across the U.S. We organize that data into five weighted categories to compile our school rankings.
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%
You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our methodology page.

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?

A human resource management bachelor’s degree program is meant to teach you all of the necessary skills to enter a career in human resources, which can be used in a variety of industries and business settings. The program courses and requirements will vary, but in general, human resource management programs typically focus on teaching you about human resources principles and practices, communications, and business and tech training.

What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management?

There are a number of fields and positions you can apply for with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. These include:
  • 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?

Yes, earning your human resources degree online can be worth it — but it will ultimately depend on what your goals are for your career and where your interests are. If hiring and managing people is part of your passion, a career in human resources management can be a great fit. The human resources department recruits, interviews, and hires new staff, and works with executives on strategic planning for the company. It also works to keep employees engaged as well as develop and maintain the company culture, along with specializing in a lot of other employee-centric tasks, including compensation and benefits. If those areas interest you and you want to work in a solid field with lots of room for growth, then human resources management could certainly be worth it for you.

How long does it take to finish a human resources degree?

If you’re attending school full time to attain your bachelor’s degree in human resources, it can take you about four years to complete the degree requirements. If you pursue an accelerated program, you could finish your degree much sooner.

The Top 25 Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Human Resource Management

  1. Columbia Southern University
    Location

    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.

  2. Western International University
    Location

    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.

  3. Western Governors University
    Location

    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.

  4. Bellevue University
    Location

    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.

  5. American Public University
    Location

    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.

  6. Grantham University
    Location

    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.

  7. Trident University International
    Location

    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.

  8. Colorado State University - Global
    Location

    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.

  9. Fort Hays State University
    Location

    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!

  10. University of Maryland University College
    Location

    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.

Get prepared for your next steps

Use articles and resources to uncover answers to common questions, get guidance on your goals, and learn about applying to schools.

Discover a program that is right for you.

Explore different options for you based on your degree interests.