The independent, trusted guide to online education for over 26 years!

The 79 Most Affordable MBA Human Resources Online Programs

Rankings of MBA human resources online programsMBA human resources online degrees provide the best opportunities for professional advancement in a competitive market. These programs offer the well-rounded core curriculum industry leaders need in areas from accounting to business technology, as well as the specialized knowledge required of HR agents, specialists and managers. Employee experience in the workplace, staff relations, compensation and negotiation are all essential traits of the human resources occupation, and can be learned through online HR master’s degree programs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary for HR managers of $121,220, as well as a projected ten year growth of 9 percent. The excellent salary along with an average rate of growth are testament to the competitive nature of this career. While a bachelor’s is enough to enter the field, many jobs in HR such as labor relations or business administration require an MBA human resources online degree. Currently there is a $51,311 difference in tuition between the most economical and expensive programs. For this advancement, it is critical to choose the program best suited to personal and monetary needs.

Through a full survey of 147 fully accredited MBA human resources online programs from 142 colleges, GetEducated has created a “Best Buy” list for you. This list reveals the most affordable options available in the US.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide

Average Cost (In-state): ~$25,300
Least Expensive: Pittsburg State University ~$11,250
Most Expensive: Temple University ~$62,561

Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest MBA human resources online. The online MBA degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.

Most Affordable MBA Human Resources Online

RankSchool / DegreeStatePriceNote
1
Pittsburg State University
(KS)
$11,250.00
All Students
2
Fort Hays State University
(KS)
$11,900.00
All Students
3
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
(OK)
$12,132.00
All Students
4
University of Nebraska at Kearney
(NE)
$12,135.25
$18,372.25
In-State
Out-of-State
5
Northwest Missouri State University
(MO)
$12,300.00
All Students
6
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
(LA)
$12,474.00
All Students
7
Fitchburg State University
(MA)
$12,510.00
All Students
8
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
(LA)
$12,800.04
All Students
9
University of Southern Indiana
(IN)
$12,900.00
All Students
10
Clayton State University
(GA)
$13,933.00
All Students
11
University of Houston-Victoria
(TX)
$14,084.16
$26,324.16
In-State
Out-of-State
12
North Carolina A & T State University
(NC)
$14,180.24
$36,068.24
In-State
Out-of-State
13
University of West Alabama
(AL)
$14,472.00
All Students
14
Texas A & M University-Central Texas
(TX)
$14,504.04
$29,192.04
In-State
Out-of-State
15
Wichita State University
(KS)
$15,335.28
All Students
16
University of Illinois at Springfield
(IL)
$15,415.50
All Students
17
Indiana Institute of Technology
(IN)
$15,525.00
All Students
18
Wayne State College
(NE)
$15,746.40
All Students
19
Delta State University
(MS)
$15,750.00
All Students
20
University of West Florida
(FL)
$16,434.00
All Students
21
Doane University
(NE)
$16,580.00
All Students
22
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
(TX)
$17,049.92
All Students
23
Trine University
(IN)
$17,250.00
All Students
24
University of North Texas
(TX)
$17,327.20
$19,026.76
In-State
Out-of-State
25
Midway University
(KY)
$17,625.00
All Students
26
Columbia College - MO
(MO)
$17,640.00
$11,700.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
27
University of the Potomac
(DC)
$17,750.00
All Students
28
The University of Texas at Tyler
(TX)
$17,804.00
$35,156.00
In-State
Out-of-State
29
Campbellsville University
(KY)
$17,844.00
All Students
30
University of North Alabama
(AL)
$17,850.00
All Students
31
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
(OH)
$17,928.00
All Students
32
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
(NC)
$18,113.40
$45,771.48
In-State
Out-of-State
33
Touro University Worldwide
(CA)
$18,200.00
All Students
34
Wilmington University
(DE)
$18,220.00
All Students
35
North Greenville University
(SC)
$18,370.00
All Students
36
Lindenwood University
(MO)
$18,440.00
All Students
37
Southern New Hampshire University
(NH)
$18,960.00
$14,250.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
38
St. Thomas University
(FL)
$19,440.00
All Students
39
Carson-Newman University
(TN)
$19,800.00
All Students
40
McKendree University
(IL)
$19,925.00
All Students
41
Southern University and A & M College
(LA)
$19,931.00
All Students
42
University of Saint Mary
(KS)
$19,935.00
All Students
43
Southern Wesleyan University
(SC)
$20,340.00
$18,540.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
44
Ohio Christian University
(OH)
$20,440.00
$10,360.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
45
Waynesburg University
(PA)
$20,550.00
All Students
46
Baker University
(KS)
$20,635.00
All Students
47
University of Houston - Clear Lake
(TX)
$20,892.00
$39,684.00
In-State
Out-of-State
48
Oklahoma Christian University
(OK)
$21,205.00
All Students
49
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
(OK)
$21,530.00
All Students
50
University of Bridgeport
(CT)
$21,700.00
All Students
51
University of Mary
(ND)
$21,808.00
All Students
52
Bryan College
(TN)
$21,930.00
All Students
53
Friends University
(KS)
$21,978.00
All Students
54
Houston Christian University
(TX)
$22,060.00
All Students
55
Thomas University
(GA)
$22,285.00
All Students
56
University of the Southwest
(NM)
$22,500.00
All Students
57
Upper Iowa University
(IA)
$22,570.00
$9,070.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
58
Trevecca Nazarene University
(TN)
$22,607.00
All Students
59
University of Northern Colorado
(CO)
$22,716.00
All Students
59
Bethel University - TN
(TN)
$22,716.00
All Students
61
Park University
(MO)
$22,895.00
All Students
62
Bellevue University
(NE)
$23,060.00
All Students
63
King University
(TN)
$23,155.00
All Students
64
Caldwell University
(NJ)
$23,215.00
All Students
65
Malone University
(OH)
$23,400.00
All Students
66
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
(WI)
$23,472.00
All Students
67
Salem University
(WV)
$23,800.00
$18,220.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
68
Warner University
(FL)
$23,950.00
All Students
69
New England College
(NH)
$23,960.00
All Students
70
Friends University
(KS)
$23,976.00
All Students
71
Ottawa University
(KS)
$24,159.00
All Students
72
Cumberland University
(TN)
$24,385.00
All Students
73
Union University
(TN)
$24,444.00
All Students
74
Lakeland University
(WI)
$24,732.00
All Students
75
Carlow University
(PA)
$24,876.00
All Students
76
Cambridge College
(MA)
$24,928.00
$19,540.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
77
Excelsior College
(NY)
$25,020.00
$11,340.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
78
Anderson University - SC
(SC)
$25,075.00
All Students
79
Saint Leo University
(FL)
$25,260.00
All Students
NOTE: The following schools did not make our Best Buy ranking but are also great online options.
School / DegreeStatePriceNote
Baker College
(MI)
$25,500.00
$13,800.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Saint Ambrose University
(IA)
$25,632.00
All Students
Belhaven University
(MS)
$25,760.00
$16,940.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Tiffin University
(OH)
$26,000.00
All Students
Rosemont College
(PA)
$26,130.00
All Students
Franklin Pierce University
(NH)
$26,135.00
All Students
Lasell University
(MA)
$26,292.00
All Students
Lebanon Valley College
(PA)
$26,496.00
All Students
Liberty University
(VA)
$26,770.00
$12,475.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Averett University
(VA)
$26,925.00
All Students
Ashland University
(OH)
$27,000.00
All Students
Central Michigan University
(MI)
$27,050.00
$25,250.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Baldwin Wallace University
(OH)
$27,456.00
All Students
California State University-Stanislaus
(CA)
$27,600.00
All Students
Spring Arbor University
(MI)
$27,652.00
All Students
Assumption University
(MA)
$27,712.00
All Students
Lynn University
(FL)
$27,750.00
All Students
Mid-America Christian University
(OK)
$27,810.00
All Students
Concordia University Texas
(TX)
$27,960.00
All Students
Thomas Edison State University
(NJ)
$28,144.00
All Students
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor
(WI)
$28,373.00
All Students
Houghton College
(NY)
$28,386.00
All Students
Champlain College
(VT)
$28,770.00
$14,478.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
University of St Francis
(IL)
$29,348.00
All Students
Johnson & Wales University
(RI)
$29,412.00
All Students
Mount Mercy University
(IA)
$29,670.00
All Students
Walden University
(MN)
$30,000.00
$25,402.50
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Misericordia University
(PA)
$30,240.00
All Students
Russell Sage College
(NY)
$30,450.00
All Students
Notre Dame de Namur University
(CA)
$30,600.00
All Students
University of the Incarnate Word
(TX)
$30,990.00
$7,590.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
(NE)
$31,200.00
All Students
Maryville University
(MO)
$31,221.00
All Students
Everglades University
(FL)
$31,345.00
All Students
Regent University
(VA)
$31,600.00
$13,750.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
Saint Francis University
(PA)
$31,695.00
All Students
DeSales University
(PA)
$31,800.00
All Students
National University
(CA)
$32,180.00
All Students
Endicott College
(MA)
$34,486.00
All Students
University of Scranton
(PA)
$34,740.00
All Students
Montclair State University
(NJ)
$34,775.13
All Students
Brenau University
(GA)
$35,025.00
All Students
Monroe College
(NY)
$35,048.00
All Students
Mercy College
(NY)
$35,656.00
All Students
Berkeley College
(NJ)
$35,740.00
All Students
Moravian College
(PA)
$36,288.00
All Students
Davenport University
(MI)
$36,674.00
All Students
Roosevelt University
(IL)
$37,404.00
All Students
Regis University
(CO)
$38,198.00
All Students
Nova Southeastern University
(FL)
$38,952.00
All Students
City University of Seattle
(WA)
$43,200.00
All Students
Albertus Magnus College
(CT)
$43,776.00
All Students
Golden Gate University
(CA)
$49,575.00
$21,900.00
In-State/Out-of-State
Military
The University of Texas at Dallas
(TX)
$53,000.00
All Students
Pennsylvania State University
(PA)
$59,328.00
All Students
Temple University
(PA)
$62,561.00
All Students

Accreditation & Program Notes

To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.

14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB  AACSB International
IACBE  International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP  Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Rankings Note

These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited MBA human resources online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.

The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.

Editorial Note

Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an MBA that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.

These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best MBA human resources online programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.

Career Guide: MBA Human Resources Online

Human resources (HR) is one of the most important departments for an organization. Professionals who are educated in HR understand how to interview, hire, and train an effective staff, making them essential for businesses of all sizes.

“Human resources” is the practice finding, screening, interviewing, hiring, and training staff members. It can also include management and oversight for benefits programs, such as salaries, bonuses, healthcare, and 401(k) programs.

Effective human resource professionals have numerous skills, which are gained from education, training, and experience. But they also need a few natural traits that allow them to manage in this area more effectively. People working in a human resources department need the natural ability to connect with people and show a high level of empathy. They should be cooperative, and enjoy the dynamics of working within a larger team. They should also have the heart of a teacher, as many HR professionals are responsible for employee orientation and training.

If you have these natural traits, an MBA human resources online degree could provide the skills you need to excel in an HR career.

What to Expect from a Human Resources MBA Degree

An MBA, regardless of the concentration, is a type of advanced business degree. As such, you will complete a variety of core classes that apply to different careers in business and management, not just human resources. Core MBA classes will cover everything from accounting to leadership to marketing. Depending on the school, it could include analytics, business law, and strategic management.

There will also be a human resources component to your degree. Usually consisting of two to four classes, these courses will deepen your understanding of human-resource issues and make you a more effective leader in this field. These classes focus directly on human resources and may include strategic management in an HR department or compensation and benefits for employees. It could also include training strategies, hiring campaigns, and other topics that are important to HR leaders.

Possible Careers After an MBA in Human Resources

Human Resources Manager

  • Salary: $121,220
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree
  • Experience: Over five years

Organizations of all sizes, but especially larger companies, non-profits, and government agencies need high-quality managers to oversee their human resource departments. These highly-paid professionals ensure a company has the people they need to meet their goals; specific tasks may include planning a hiring drive, training new employees, and coordinating with upper management to meet staffing goals.

The pay in this career is excellent. According to the BLS, the median salary for a human resources manager in the spring of 2020 was $121,220. However, the top 10% bring much higher salaries, earning over $208,000 per year. So while an HR career can be fulfilling, it can also be extremely lucrative.

Benefits Manager

  • Salary: $125,130
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree
  • Experience: Over five years

Benefits managers and human resource managers share many responsibilities. While there is some overlap, however, a compensation and benefits manager largely focuses on how much a staff is paid, what benefits they receive, and how those benefits are distributed. They focus far less on interviewing, hiring, and training.

Compensation and benefits managers need to be informed on a variety of topics, especially wage rates across various industries. They may also need to choose benefits partners, such as which company the group will use for employee health insurance.

Requirements for Working in Human Resources

There is no licensing requirement to work in these careers, but you may need certification to be hired for certain jobs. Even if it’s not required, advanced HR certification helps you stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Human resource managers can benefit from various certifications through groups like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). These are just two of the many organizations that provide education and certification in the HR industry. Benefits managers and other professionals who have completed an MBA human resources online could also benefit from these certifications.

While you can work in human resources with only an education, you’ll likely need experience before you are hired as a human resources or benefits manager. A job as a human resource specialist, for example, is a good start for your career. For most leadership positions, you’ll need about five years of experience, which is a requirement for many management professions, not just human resources.