An online bachelor’s degree in human resources is the best way to enter the HR field today. A human resource professional is essential to the health of any organization, from labor relations to compensation, negotiation and conflict resolution. If you have a passion for solving employee problems, organizational planning, and handling vast administrative duties, pursuing the human resources profession can be a strong and lucrative career move. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual salary for HR managers at $121,220, with the top 10% earning an average of more than $208,000! Another value of the human resources field is the projected job growth, which the BLS reports as 9% for managers and 15% for specialists through 2030. Yet even with these impressive statistics, paying for a degree is one of the biggest purchases you can make in a lifetime.
Looking for truly affordable online bachelor’s degree in human resources options? You’re in the right place! With almost a $90,000 difference in tuition between the most affordable and most expensive school, it pays to get educated before you enroll!
GetEducated compared 145 bachelor’s degrees in human resources from 135 regionally accredited online schools to create this ranking. Below is our editorially independent list of the 77 Best Buys for an affordable online bachelor’s degree in human resources. All degrees cost less than the national average.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$54,400
Least Expensive: Florida State College at Jacksonville ~$13,284.00
Most Expensive: Davenport University ~$103,000.00
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There’s 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 online bachelor’s degree in human resources. The online HR degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | (FL) | $13,284.00 $26,738.40 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Utah Valley University | (UT) | $24,040.00 $68,368.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $27,225.60 | All Students |
4 | Florida International University | (FL) | $28,286.72 $42,333.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 |  Western Governors University | (UT) | $28,600.00 | All Students |
6 | Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $28,930.00 $37,410.00 $30,298.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
7 | Empire State University | (NY) | $30,520.00 $36,160.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | (AR) | $33,600.00 $25,980.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
9 | Athens State University | (AL) | $34,324.00 | All Students |
10 | Lamar University | (TX) | $35,568.00 | All Students |
11 | Peru State College | (NE) | $35,945.00 | All Students |
12 | Missouri Southern State University | (MO) | $35,985.60 | All Students |
13 | Amridge University | (AL) | $36,275.00 | All Students |
14 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $36,900.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
15 | Dickinson State University | (ND) | $37,168.56 $45,358.56 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Waldorf University | (IA) | $37,325.00 $30,125.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
17 | Metropolitan State University | (MN) | $37,598.00 | All Students |
18 | University of Alaska Southeast | (AK) | $37,800.00 $108,480.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | Granite State College (part of University of New Hampshire) Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Administration 14 | (NH) | $38,360.00 $44,480.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | South College | (TN) | $38,400.00 | All Students |
21 | Indiana State University | (IN) | $38,472.00 $49,656.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $38,550.00 $27,150.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
23 | University of Maryland Global Campus | (MD) | $38,570.00 $61,730.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
24 | Charter Oak State College | (CT) | $40,897.00 $53,465.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Wichita State University | (KS) | $41,530.80 | All Students |
26 | Colorado State University-Global Campus | (CO) | $42,000.00 | All Students |
27 | Wayne State College | (NE) | $42,768.00 | All Students |
28 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $44,157.60 $85,557.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
29 | Nichols College | (MA) | $44,600.00 $30,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
30 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | (WI) | $44,730.00 | All Students |
31 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $44,880.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
32 | New England College | (NH) | $45,000.00 | All Students |
32 | Columbia College - MO | (MO) | $45,000.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
34 | Illinois College | (IL) | $45,200.00 | All Students |
35 | New Mexico State University | (NM) | $45,624.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
36 | Warner Pacific University | (OR) | $46,895.00 | All Students |
37 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $47,125.00 $31,525.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
38 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $47,140.00 | All Students |
39 | Central Christian College of Kansas | (KS) | $47,400.00 | All Students |
40 | LeTourneau University | (TX) | $47,550.00 | All Students |
41 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | (OH) | $47,760.00 | All Students |
42 | Trine University | (IN) | $47,880.00 | All Students |
42 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $47,880.00 | All Students |
44 | Indiana Institute of Technology | (IN) | $47,950.00 | All Students |
45 | Colorado Mesa University | (CO) | $48,000.00 | All Students |
46 | McKendree University | (IL) | $48,125.00 | All Students |
47 | Bryan College | (TN) | $48,170.00 | All Students |
48 | University of Central Oklahoma | (OK) | $48,195.08 $93,194.68 | In-State Out-of-State |
49 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $48,200.00 | All Students |
50 | Anderson University - SC | (SC) | $48,790.00 | All Students |
51 | Liberty University | (VA) | $48,892.00 $32,092.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
52 | University of Toledo | (OH) | $48,985.92 $49,585.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
53 | William Penn University | (IA) | $49,200.00 | All Students |
54 | Franklin University | (OH) | $49,442.00 $31,090.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
55 | Immaculata University | (PA) | $49,920.00 | All Students |
56 |  Concordia University-Saint Paul | (MN) | $50,400.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
57 | Oral Roberts University | (OK) | $50,792.00 $31,592.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
58 |  Aurora University | (IL) | $51,200.00 $30,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
59 | Portland State University | (OR) | $51,506.00 $127,214.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
60 | Southern Wesleyan University | (SC) | $51,600.00 $39,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
61 | Salem University | (WV) | $51,800.00 $66,800.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
62 | Marian University Indianapolis | (IN) | $51,840.00 | All Students |
63 | Baker College | (MI) | $51,960.00 $30,960.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
64 | Montreat College | (NC) | $52,300.00 | All Students |
65 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | (CO) | $52,360.88 $111,004.88 | In-State Out-of-State |
66 | Huntington University | (IN) | $52,456.00 | All Students |
67 | Regent University | (VA) | $52,600.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
68 | Friends University | (KS) | $52,700.00 | All Students |
69 |  Fisher College | (MA) | $52,760.00 | All Students |
70 | Park University | (MO) | $52,875.00 $30,075.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
71 | Westcliff University | (CA) | $53,000.00 | All Students |
72 | Limestone University | (SC) | $53,045.00 $29,285.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
73 | Ohio Christian University | (OH) | $53,120.00 $33,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
74 | Wesleyan College | (GA) | $53,760.00 | All Students |
75 | Embry Riddle Aeronautical University | (FL) | $53,840.00 $30,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
76 | University of Michigan-Flint | (MI) | $53,896.00 $58,792.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
77 | Midway University | (KY) | $54,000.00 | All Students |
77 | Faulkner University | (AL) | $54,000.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Geneva College | (PA) | $55,320.00 | All Students | |
University of Mount Olive | (NC) | $55,875.00 $31,275.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $56,264.00 | All Students | |
Avila University | (MO) | $56,335.00 | All Students | |
Central Baptist College | (AR) | $56,400.00 | All Students | |
Bellevue University | (NE) | $56,710.00 $33,850.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Saint Ambrose University | (IA) | $57,000.00 | All Students | |
Lindenwood University | (MO) | $57,100.00 | All Students | |
Notre Dame College (School Closing) Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration / Human Resources Management 14 | (OH) | $57,150.00 | All Students | |
Tiffin University | (OH) | $57,260.00 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $57,606.00 $31,530.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Grand View University | (IA) | $57,760.00 $45,360.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Cambridge College | (MA) | $59,100.00 $33,620.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $59,400.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,628.00 | All Students | |
Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $59,830.00 $30,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Oakland City University | (IN) | $60,000.00 | All Students | |
University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $60,000.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | (IN) | $60,045.00 | All Students | |
Kansas State University | (KS) | $60,840.00 | All Students | |
Mercer University | (GA) | $61,140.00 | All Students | |
Carlow University | (PA) | $61,320.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Texas | (TX) | $61,360.00 | All Students | |
 Walden University | (MN) | $61,385.00 $52,561.30 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Walsh University | (OH) | $61,600.00 | All Students | |
Florida Institute of Technology | (FL) | $61,710.00 $30,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $62,040.00 $35,760.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
National American University | (SD) | $62,160.00 $33,073.80 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $62,760.00 | All Students | |
Ottawa University | (KS) | $63,271.00 $32,395.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Central Penn College | (PA) | $63,861.00 | All Students | |
Charleston Southern University | (SC) | $64,490.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $64,640.00 | All Students | |
University of the Incarnate Word | (TX) | $64,890.00 $30,090.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $65,393.00 | All Students | |
National University (School Merged) Bachelor of Business Administration / Human Resource Management IACBE,14 | (CA) | $66,600.00 | All Students | |
Excelsior College | (NY) | $67,085.00 $32,525.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $67,375.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $67,680.00 | All Students | |
Point Park University | (PA) | $67,760.00 | All Students | |
Southwestern College - Kansas | (KS) | $72,160.00 $31,240.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Post University | (CT) | $72,400.00 | All Students | |
University of Bridgeport | (CT) | $73,560.00 | All Students | |
Thomas Jefferson University | (PA) | $73,800.00 | All Students | |
Peirce College | (PA) | $73,995.00 | All Students | |
Regis University | (CO) | $74,010.00 | All Students | |
Bryant & Stratton College | (NY) | $76,255.00 | All Students | |
University of La Verne | (CA) | $78,440.00 | All Students | |
St. Joseph's University-New York | (NY) | $78,600.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Seton Hill University | (PA) | $78,880.00 | All Students | |
Temple University | (PA) | $79,200.00 | All Students | |
 Brenau University | (GA) | $84,480.00 $31,680.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Villanova University | (PA) | $84,840.00 | All Students | |
Cleary University | (MI) | $89,520.00 | All Students | |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $92,990.00 | All Students | |
Mount Aloysius College | (PA) | $99,800.00 | All Students | |
Davenport University | (MI) | $103,000.00 $70,480.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
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 online bachelor’s degree in human resources. 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 bachelor degree programs 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 a bachelor’s degree 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 human resources 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 online bachelor’s degree in human resources for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources
These programs can help you become one of the top leaders in human resources. From developing your interpersonal skills to strengthening your understanding of business and employment, these degrees are excellent for anyone who wants an exciting career in human resources.
What to Expect from a Human Resources Degree
“Human Resources” is a term that describes people or the department that manage all the details related to employment. High quality employees are considered the most valuable resource available to a company or group, so they dedicate a lot of time to finding, hiring, and maintaining a thriving staff.
In a human resources degree, you’ll learn the important skills that help you build and improve a company’s overall employment system. This can include recruiting, interviewing, staffing, compensations, training, and developing benefits packages. It may also include acting as a connection between labor and the company, so labor relations is often an important subject.
Because these are four-year bachelor’s degrees, you’ll have to complete general-studies classes, such as mathematics, writing, and science, as well as HR-specific courses. These can include a variety of topics that develop your understanding of human resources.
Some of the core classes will be applicable to almost any business degree. Macro- and microeconomics, financing, and management principles are common parts of an HR degree as well as many other business degrees.
You’ll also complete courses that are focused directly on human resources. This can include employee development, compensation management, and human resources management. From workforce planning to employment law, you’ll develop a thorough understanding for these important subjects.
Although human resources is often seen as a concentration within a larger business degree, it’s possible to complete an online bachelor’s degree in human resources that focuses on an even more specific topic. For example, you can find degrees that develop human resources leadership, development, or management.
Once complete, you’ll have the high-demand skills needed to become an important contributor to large companies in virtually every corner of the country. You’ll know how to recruit the top talent, bring them into a company, and keep them on staff for years to come.
Potential Careers after Completing an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources
After completing an online degree in human resources, you’ll be prepared for many exciting careers.
Human Resources Specialist
- Salary: $63,490
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: None
These professionals help companies find top-quality job candidates. Specific duties may include interviewing candidates, consulting with employers, checking applicants’ backgrounds, and helping with employee orientation. They usually work for the company they are recruiting for, but they could work for hiring and staffing agencies.
The pay for this career is strong, but it can also help you transition into higher-paying job opportunities, including management in business or human resources.
Human Resources Manager
- Salary: $121,220
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Five years or more
Human resources managers are responsible for overseeing an entire human resources department. Their duties can include planning an overall hiring campaign, handling staffing issues, guiding a benefits package, and providing a link between company management and the employees.
While you only need a bachelor’s degree for these positions, you’ll likely need at least five years of industry experience before you will be hired as a human resources manager.
While a career in human resources is the obvious path, you don’t have to take your career in this direction. After completing an online bachelor’s degree in human resources, you’ll have skills that can go towards a career in management, business leadership, labor relations, job-placement services, and many other exciting career fields.
Licensing & Certifications for Human Resources Professionals
As a human resources expert, you won’t need a long list of licenses. However, there are many organizations that offer human resources certificates, which can significantly improve your career. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers numerous certifications that build your understanding and help you advance to more positions and potentially higher pay.
If you want to become a human resources manager, certification is even more important. Many companies will prefer to hire candidates that have been certified through leading organizations, such as the HR institute. If you can add these certifications, you’ll have a better chance at landing the top management jobs in human resources.
Certification may be voluntary, but it’s an important way to advance your career and stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in human resources.